Dear Editor,
The recent CXC statistics released by the Ministry of Education indicate beyond the shadow of a doubt that there is a national crisis in our public education system, but there is one problem in particular.
According to the ministry’s data broken down by gender, female candidates outnumber male candidates; 4677 males sat the exams as compared to 8132 females. A cursory glance at our national census shows that the number of the sexes in Guyana is almost equal. If that is so, why are the males missing in such large numbers in the secondary school exams?
Can the ministry let us know why the proportion of males to females taking the CSEC exams is so low. It would appear that there is a seepage of males from the formal education system at the lower secondary levels. This phenomenon has been observed in other Caribbean states where they have not only identified the seepage but have also noted where the “missing boys” are.
It seems we have done neither in Guyana.
The absence of males from CSEC exams has larger societal consequences. I would therefore be grateful if the ministry could let us know if they are aware of the numbers and whether they have identified exactly where we are losing the males.
Perhaps more importantly, where are these boys if they are not in school and not taking CSEC exams?
Yours faithfully,
(Name and address provided)
