The Ministry of Education and Culture has seen a significant increase in its students’ enrolment and number of passes following the release of the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) and Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) results.

Minister for Education and Culture, Honourable Myron V. Walwyn said that his ministry had anticipated an increase in the number of passes overall in the Territory in comparison to 2016 and can definitely boast of the students’ outstanding performance in CSEC examinations and for the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) at the secondary level.

Minister Walwyn said, “We increased the bar with the requirements for scholarships being five CSEC subjects inclusive of Mathematics and English and at first it seemed like a difficult bar. However, for the past three years, our students have proven that they can do it.”

 “Additionally, we introduced CAPE at Grade 12. And once again, they have stepped up to the plate.  We are committed to on-going professional development for our teachers which in turn results in our students’ performance,” he said.

For the first time in Virgin Islands history, the ministry implemented the CAPE programme in Grade 12 for the 2016/2017 school year. Twenty-six students at the Elmore Stoutt High School registered for the CAPE Communication Studies, Integrated Mathematics or Biology subjects. 

Five of those twenty-six students registered for two subjects. Of the students writing each subject, there was a 100% pass for Communication Studies, 85% for Integrated Mathematics and a 64% pass for Biology. 

Kelliann Freeman earned a Grade 1 in two CAPE subjects while Daniella Mourillon and Kairhys Harrigan received Grade 1 in one subject. Gabriella Chichester, Majesty Glasgow and She’yan Hodge earned passes in two CAPE subjects.

This year, a total of 477 candidates registered for 1 or more subjects for the June 2017 CSEC examinations.  Of the total, 403 were students within the Territory’s public secondary schools, 67 from private secondary schools and 7 were private independent entries.

A total of 29 subjects were written by candidates. Grades 1, 2, and 3 were earned in 86% of the subjects entered.  Of the 29 subjects written, there was 100% passes in Theatre Arts, Physical Education, Electronics, Technical Drawing, Food and Nutrition, Office Administration, Industrial Technology (Building) and Agricultural Science.

Subjects with passes between 90 to 99% were English Language – 90%, Biology – 93%, Integrated Science- 97%, and Electronic Document Preparation Management (EDPM)– 96%, Caribbean History, 93%, and Principles of Business with 99%.

Honourable Walwyn said that it would be remiss of him not to thank and acknowledge the hard work of his principals and teachers for their continued word, dedication and commitment. He also thanked and congratulated the achievers and their parents and said he was proud of the results achieved.

The Ministry of Education and Culture is committed to creating a “Culture of Excellence.”