This is according to the Minister of Education, Dr Natalio Wheatley who said in a statement obtained by BVI News that the two aforementioned subjects received the highest number of entries out of the total 27 CSEC subjects local students elected to sit this year.

He said a total of 358 students registered for one or more CSEC subjects — 280 from public schools, 71 from private schools, and seven independent candidates.

Of that number, 198 students completed the English A exam with 91.4 percent receiving Grades I, II or III. More specifically, 23 percent of those students passed with a Grade I — the highest passing score a candidate can receive.

In contrast, 217 students sat the Mathematics examination with only 52 percent receiving a passing grade. Only six percent of students across the territory passed with a Grade I.

“This 52% has been identified as the regional average in CSEC Mathematics by the CXC Registrar General and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Wayne Wesley in his remarks at the launching ceremony of the 2020 results,” Dr Wheatley stated.

Nine of the 27 subjects received a 100% pass rate

The Education Minister also said nine subjects received a 100 percent pass rate from the students who sat those exams locally.

These subjects include Agricultural Science (Double Award); Agricultural Science (Single Award); Physical Education & Sport; Food, Nutrition & Health; Family & Resource Management; Technical Drawing; Industrial Technology (Mechanical); Information Technology; and Visual Arts.

The subject of Electronic Document Preparation & Management was passed by 98.8 percent of the 175 students who sat its exam, while Integrated Science saw a 94.7 percent pass rate.

Students recognised for achievements

Meanwhile, 19 students from various schools across the territory were individually recognised by the Education Minister for their achievement in the 2020 CSEC examinations.

Eight students from the Elmore Stoutt High School were recognised. St George’s Secondary School followed with five students while the BVI Seventh-day Adventist School had four and Bregado Flax Educational Centre had two outstanding students.

Absenteeism and ‘Ungraded’ results

Dr Wheatley also addressed the rate of absenteeism or ungraded results in this year’s exams. He said the numbers were similar to those reported in 2019.

“Of the 1,489 examinations registered for the July/August sitting, only 1,325 grades were awarded. This means that 164 exam entries were not sat or graded. The modification in the SBA moderation processes due to the COVID-19 pandemic affected the ungraded results,” the minister explained.

He added: “The Ministry of Education recognises this high number of absenteeism and ungraded results and aims to put further measures in place for students, parents and examination centres to reduce these occurrences and significantly improve in these areas for the next sitting.”