Address by the Hon. Shawn Richards
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education on the performance
of students in our schools and colleges in the May-June 2015
Regional Examinations set by the Caribbean Examinations Council
(CXC) and Test of Standards
ST KITTS AND NEVIS
--------------------
It is with a sense of pride that I bring to you, for the first time, the
Minister of Education’s National Report on the performance of
students in the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination
(CAPE), the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC)
and the Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Level Competence
(CCSLC), all offered by the Caribbean Examinations Council
(CXC). I will also share with you insights from the Test of
Standards sat by children in the primary grades 3 to 6.
The Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE)
CAPE is taken by students in the Division of Arts, Sciences and
General Studies at the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College, and at
the Nevis Sixth Form College. Students write CAPE examinations
at Unit 1 and Unit 2 in selected subject areas, usually taking Unit
1 in their first year of study and Unit 2 in their second year and
have five (5) years in which to obtain an Associate’s Degree.
2
The total number of candidates in our colleges sitting the 2015
May-June CAPE Examinations was 515, an increase of 13.43%
over 2014. Exams were written in 48 units across St. Kitts and
Nevis. There were one thousand, eight hundred and thirty six
(1836) subject entries, an increase of 12.22% over 2014 with one
thousand, five hundred and seventy six (1576) entries returning
passing grades for a national average pass rate at CAPE for 2015
of 85.84% compared to 84.66% in 2014 which is not too far
from the regional average of 90.7%.
Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College
The CAPE results for the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College, for the
academic year ending 2015 saw 371 students registered for the
CAPE examinations compared to 397 in 2012, 352 in 2013 and
335 in 2014.
There were one thousand, two hundred and forty eight (1248)
registered subject entries, 74.91 percent or 935 being Unit 1
courses, and 25.09 percent or 313 being Unit 2 courses.
Of the one thousand, two hundred and forty eight (1248)
registered subject entries at the CFBC for the 2015 examinations,
87.90% or one thousand and ninety seven (1097) entries returned
a passing grade, of which ones and twos were 22.78%.
3
The following subjects returned a 100% pass rate: Art and Design
Units 1 and 2, Chemistry Unit 2, Computer Science Unit 2, Digital
Media Units 1 and 2, Entrepreneurship Unit 1, French Units 1 and
2, Geography Unit 2, History Unit 1, Information Technology Unit
2, Performing Arts Unit 2 (Music and Dance), Pure Mathematics
Unit 2 and Spanish Units 1 and 2. All other subjects returned a
75 – 97% pass rate except Chemistry Unit 1, Economics Unit 1
and Pure Mathematics Unit 1.
Nevis Sixth Form College
The 2015 CAPE results for Nevis Sixth Form College where a
total of 144 candidates compared to 138 in 2012, 122 in 2013 and
119 in 2014 were registered for 588 subject entries, an increase
of 34.24% over 2014. Of the total entries, 75.85% or 446 were
Unit 1 entries while 24.14% or 142 were unit 2 entries.
Of the 588 subjects entries registered for CAPE at the Nevis Sixth
Form College, 479 or 81.46% compared to 80.14% returned
graded results of which ones and twos were 23.79%.
The following subjects attained a 100% pass rate: Agricultural
Science Unit 1, Art & Design Unit 2, Biology Unit 2, Caribbean
Studies, Chemistry Units 1 and 2,
Geometrical and Mechanical
Engineering Drawing (GMED) Unit 2, Information Technology Unit
2, Management of Business Unit 2, Physics Unit 2 and Spanish
4
Unit 2.
All other subjects returned a 70 – 76% pass rate except
Geometrical and Mechanical Engineering Drawing Unit 1, History
Unit 1, Literatures in English Units 1 and 2, Pure Mathematics
Unit 1 and Sociology Units 1 and 2.
The overall pass rate for the 2015 CAPE examinations at the
Nevis Sixth Form College stands at 81.46%, which is slightly
higher than the 80.14% achieved in 2014.
I wish to congratulate the students and lecturers at the Nevis
Sixth Form College and the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College,
Division of Arts, Sciences and General Studies for their diligence
in most instances that has contributed to another year of sterling
performance by our students. I commend the parents for their
support and acknowledge the contribution by principals, teachers
and others.
2015 Most Outstanding CAPE students
SCHOOL
CFBC
NSFC
CFBC
CFBC
CFBC
CFBC
CFBC
CFBC
NSFC
NAME
CHRISTIAN BRYDEN
TYLER MARTIN
CHAVEZ LAWRENCE
JAMALJE BASSUE
PHILMON ROBERTS
REISA HERBERT
SAMUEL HANCOCK
TAJI HAMILTON
NICOLAI WILLIAMS
NUMER OF GRADE ONES
7
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
5
As is customary, the declaration of the winner of the State
Scholarship and his or her runners-ups for 2015 as well as the
best student in the cognate areas will be made after a full
determination is made on that matter.
Performance of Students in the Caribbean Secondary
Education Certificate (CSEC)
CSEC or CXC O’Level is usually taken at the General and
Technical Proficiency Levels by students in Form 5 of our
secondary schools. In recent years, we have seen entries from
students at lower forms as well.
The total number of candidates across all our schools sitting the
2015 May-June CSEC Examinations was 743, a 3.23% decrease
compared to 767 the previous year. Exams were written in 33
subjects across all schools in both Nevis and St. Kitts. There were
four thousand seven hundred and nineteen (4719) subject entries
with three thousand nine hundred and eight (3908) entries
returning passing grades for a national average pass rate at
CSEC for 2015 of 82.81%, compared to the 78.91% average of
the three preceding years while the region returned a 68%
pass rate.
The Ministry is quite pleased that the following subjects have
turned out 100% pass rates: Agricultural Science Double Award,
6
Building
Technology:
Construction,
Clothing
and
Textiles,
Physical Education and Sports, and Theatre Arts. 90 – 99% pass
rates were received for Agricultural Science Single Award,
Building Technology: Woods, Economics, Electronic Document
Preparation & Management (EDPM), Food and Nutrition, Home
Economics: Management, Information Technology, Mechanical
Engineering Technology, Office Administration and Principles of
Business. School Departments responsible for these subjects
ought to be highly commended for this outstanding achievement.
Of concern, however, is the continuous decline in Visual Arts at
31.11%. Human and Social Biology – 65.64%, Physics – 68.60%
also returned decreased performances this year.
English Language returned a pass rate of 72.48%, an
improvement over the 68.13% in 2014, while registering a -2.16%
decline in the number of entries this year. Throughout the region,
the past rate this year stood at 59%.
Mathematics has put forward its best showing for the past three
years as it returned an 80% pass rate and a 3.57% increase in
subject entries over last year with the region producing a 57%
pass rate. Consequently, the Ministry will be taking a closer look
at the number of students given the opportunity to write these
subjects.
7
The Basseterre High School entered 110 students who offered
themselves in 26 subject areas. Of the 728 subject entries, a
4.12% over 2014, 86.26% or 628 entries returned passing grades
which is comparable to the 86.96% obtained in 2014. 100% pass
rates were received in Agricultural Science Double Award,
Building Technology: Woods, Chemistry, Clothing & Textiles,
EDPM, English B (Literature), Food and Nutrition, Home
Economics: Management, Information Technology, Integrated
Science, Office Administration, Physical Education and Sports,
Principles of Accounts, Principles of Business and Theatre Arts
written for the first time in the Federation. Unacceptable returns
were received for Visual Arts – 10%, Music – 50% and Spanish –
56.25%.
The Cayon High School entered 91 candidates for the 2015
CSEC exams in 28 subject areas. Of the 441 entries, a 7.71%
decrease over 2014, 80.05% or 353 entries returned passing
grades which is the best performance over the preceding three
years. 100% pass rates were registered in Agricultural Science
Single and Double Award, Building Technology: Woods, Clothing
&
Textiles,
Economics,
EDPM,
Electrical
and
Electronic
Technology, English B, Office Administration, Physical Education
8
and Sports, and Principles of Business.
Unacceptable returns
were received for Visual Arts with no passes, Human and Social
Biology – 47.62% and Biology – 50%.
At the Charlestown Secondary School, there were 96
candidates, compared to 131 in 2014 in 29 subject areas. Of the
663 subject entries 80.69% or 535 returned passing grades
compared to 76.70% in 2014. 100% pass rates were realized in
Biology, Building Technology: Construction, Clothing and Textiles,
English B, Food and Nutrition, Geography, Home Economics:
Management,
Mechanical
Engineering
Technology,
Office
Administration and Technical Drawing. Social Studies – 54.76%
and Economics – 56% showed unacceptable returns.
The Immaculate Conception Catholic School entered 58
students in 21 subject areas. Of the 271 subject entries, a 40.96%
increase over 2014, 84.13% or 228 returned passing grades. The
school achieved in the 2015 CSEC exams a 100% pass rate in
Agricultural Science Single Award, Biology, Chemistry, French,
Home Economics: Management, Office Administration, Principles
of Accounts, Principles of Business and Spanish.
subjects returned 66.67% or higher.
All other
9
Fifty-four (54) candidates versus sixty-nine (69) in 2014 at the
Gingerland Secondary School offered themselves for the 2015
CSEC exams in 27 subject areas. 84.05% or 295 of the 351
subject entries returned passing grades which is an increase over
the 80.49% realized in 2014. 100% pass rate was achieved in
Agricultural Science Single Award, Biology, Building Technology:
Construction, Clothing and Textiles, Economics, EDPM, Electrical
and Electronic Technology, English B, French, Integrated
Science, Office Administration, Principles of Business, Spanish
and Technical Drawing. Physics – 50% and Caribbean History –
52.94% had unacceptable returns.
At the Charles E Mills Secondary School, 76 students, an
18.42% increase over 2014, sat exams in 27 subjects. Of the 520
subject entries, 83.65% or 435 returned passing grades
compared to the 74.19% returned in 2014. 100% returns were
received in Agricultural Science Single and Double Award,
Building Technology: Woods, Economics, EDPM, French, Office
Administration, Physical Education and Sports, Principles of
Business and Visual Arts. Unacceptable returns were received in
Music – 33.33%, Spanish – 47.06% and Technical Drawing –
46.67%.
10
There were 62 students, compared to 47 in 2014 taking the CSEC
exams in 27 subject areas at the Verchilds High School. Of the
404 subject entries, 75.50% or 305 returned passing grades
compared to 82.37% in 2014. 100% returns were received for
Agricultural Science SA and DA, Building Technology: Woods,
Economics,
EDPM,
Food
Economics:
Management,
and
Nutrition,
Information
French,
Home
Technology,
Office
Administration, Principles of Accounts, Technical Drawing, PE &
Sport,
Principles
of
Business
and
Technical
Drawing.
Unacceptable returns were received for Visual Arts – 20%,
Chemistry – 25%, Geography – 43.75%, Integrated Science –
46.67%, Physics - 50% and Social Studies – 52%.
The
Washington
Archibald
High
School
entered
126
candidates, a 3.17% increase over 2014 in 28 subject areas, the
highest number of candidates at any one school.
Of the 894
subject entries, the highest number of entries at any one school,
86.02% or 769 returned passing grades. Unacceptable returns
were realized in Visual Arts – 43.75%, Electrical and Electronics
Technology – 50% and Physics – 58.33%. 100% pass rates were
achieved in Agricultural Science SA, Building Technology:
Woods, Economics, EDPM, English B, French, Information
Technology, PE and Sports and Technical Drawing.
11
At the Nevis International Secondary School, 3 students were
entered in 12 subject areas. Of the 22 subject entries, 50% or 11
returned passing grades compared to 78.26% in 2014. There
was a 100% pass rate in Agricultural Science SA, Geography,
Information Technology, Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics. 0 33% unacceptable returns were realized for the remaining
subjects.
The Saddlers Secondary School entered its second cohort of
fifth form students this year. Sixty-seven (67) candidates were
entered into 26 subject areas. Of the 425 subject entries, 82.12%
or 349 entries returned passing grades compared to 69.69% last
year. 100% pass rates were realized in Agricultural Science SA
and DA, Building Technology: Woods, Clothing & Textiles, Food
and Nutrition, Information Technology, PE & Sports, Physics,
Principles of Accounts and Principles of Business.
Less than
satisfactory passes were obtained in Caribbean History – 16.67%,
Visual Arts – 40%, Technical Drawing – 40%, Geography – 50%
and Biology – 50%.
Commendation must be given to the WAHS for having the highest
number of subject entries and to the BHS for maintaining a
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consistent performance over the past years.
Commendation
must also be given to the Saddlers Secondary School that
improved by more than 10% in their second showing as well the
students of the Basseterre High School, that despite their
challenges, were able to achieve much success. I applaud the
efforts of all the schools and encourage them to continue striving
for excellence.
2015 Most Outstanding CSEC Candidates
St. Kitts and Nevis High Schools
SCHOOL
VHS
BHS
WAHS
CSS
CSS
WAH
BHS
GSS
WAHS
CSS
CSS
ICCS
WAHS
WAHS
SSS
BHS
BHS
BHS
CSS
NAME
TASSANEY STEINBERGEN
KAMAU GRANT
XAVIER-JON BASS
CHESLIN MALONEY
NEKHAILA TYSON
ANGELA BRYDEN
KAYLOR BASS
DEREZ MORTON
KHANISA MAYNARD
PAIGE JAMES
YVADO SIMMONS
PERNELLE ABRAHAM
GLENDICIA PAUL
ORWENCIA HAYNES
TREVICIA NISBETTE
ATHWON BLACKETT
JOESHAN ROGERS
YARUSKA IRISH
JUWAN EVELYN
NUMBER OF GRADE
ONES
13
12
12
11
10
10
9
9
9
8
8
8
8
8
8
7
7
7
7
13
ICCS
CEMSS
VHS
WAHS
WAHS
SSS
AMMA GYIMAH(Jimah)
KAEDIDA FOUGH
LANIQUA HENDRICKS
ALJANI BRIDGEWATER
SUNY AQUINO
KIZAN DAVID
7
7
7
7
7
7
The Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Level Competence
(CCSLC)
The CCSLC responds to the changing demands of education, and
is designed to certify the knowledge, generic competencies, and
attitudes and values that all secondary school leavers should
have attained.
Students who successfully complete the CCSLC
would also have achieved:
 A foundation for further education and training;
 Expanded opportunities for entry-level employment;
 Opportunity to articulate with other programmes such as the
Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Technical
Vocational Education & Training (TVET).
In order to obtain this certificate a candidate has to pass five
qualifying subjects over five years.
14
Of the nine (9) schools that wrote the examination passing grades
were returned as follows in English, Mathematics, Integrated
Science, Social Studies, French or Spanish:
- Basseterre High School – 199 candidates; returned 227/264
subject entries for a 85.98% pass rate
- Cayon High School – 152 candidates; returned 214/238
subject entries for a 89.91% pass rate
- Charlestown Secondary School – 110 candidates; returned
204/282 subject entries for a 72.34% pass rate
- Gingerland Secondary School – 42 candidates; returned
73/103 subject entries for a 73.78% pass rate
- Charles E Mills Secondary School – 122 candidates;
returned 130/155 subject entries for a 83.87% pass rate
- Nevis International Secondary School - 2 candidates;
returned 6/6 subject entries for a 100% pass rate
- Verchilds High School – 85 candidates; returned 126/165
subject entries for a 76.36% pass rate
- Washington Archibald High School – 186 candidates;
returned 396/413 subject entries for a 95.88% pass rate
- Saddlers Secondary School – 57 candidates; returned
96/114 subject entries for a 84.21% pass rate.
15
It is hoped that through sensization, the CCSLC will gain currency
which would lead to employability.
Test of Standards
The 2015 Test of Standard Examination in Mathematics,
Language Arts, Social Studies and Science and Technology for
grades 3 to 6 were held during the period June 9 – 17. A total of
759 grade three students, 764 grade four students, 741 grade five
students and 794 grade six students wrote the Examination.
Overall performance by grade
2015 St. Kitts 2015 Nevis 2015
Federation
Grade Average %
Average % Average %
3
60
63
62
4
57
61
59
5
51
51
51
6
53
62
58
Grade 3, with an overall average of 62%, had the best
performance in the Federation for all grades for 2015. Grade 5
had the weakest performance. All grades achieved an average of
more than 50% for 2015. This is an improvement over 2014
16
where grade 5 had an average that was less than 50%. All grades
had an improved performance over last year with grade 4
achieving the largest gain of 5 percentage points.
Both islands
had an average of more than 50% for all grades and improved
over last year. Nevis had a better performance than St. Kitts for
grades 3, 4 and 6. For those grades Nevis achieved a
performance of over 60%.
The best performance in terms of grades was grade 3 with a
national average of 62% and grade 5 had the lowest national
average of 51%. This means that the trend of grade 5 having the
lowest average continues. The national average was higher for all
grades compared to last year. Grade 4 had the largest gain of
five percentage points over 2014.
Nevis' performance was better than St. Kitts in terms of the
overall grade average for grades 3, 4 and 6.
The girls continue to outperform the boys from grades 3 to 6 on
all subjects and by as much as seven percentage points as in
grades 4 and 5 in terms of overall average. The trend continues
this year as in previous years.
17
The improvement in the national average for all grades is
reflected in the improved performance of the various subjects.
Mathematics had averages ranging from 57% (grade 5) to 66%
across the grades. Social Studies had averages ranging from
54% (grade 5) to 63% across the grades. Mathematics and Social
Studies improved across all grades over last year. Mathematics
improved in grade 3 by eleven percentage points and by nine
percentage points in grade 5 and six percentage points in grade
4. Social Studies improved in grades 3 and 4 by eight percentage
points and by six percentage points in grade 5. In grade 6 all
subjects had averages above 50% with Science and Technology
having the highest average of 65%.
Higher order questions continue to pose challenges to many
students. Questions demanding the cognitive skills of analysis,
application and evaluation continue to be weak areas in the
various subject areas.
Writing composition continues to be a weak area across all
grades. For Social studies, map skills and time calculations in
different time zones continue to challenge the students. Problem
solving questions continue to pose challenges to the students in
Mathematics and Science and Technology.
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Conclusion
Overall, the 2014-2015 academic year has been a very
successful one. I pause at this time to say a heartfelt thank you to
all stakeholders who contributed to this significant achievement of
our nation’s youth, take a bow, you deserve it! I digress briefly at
this point to express my pleasure at the transformation that is
taking place with the inmates at Her Majesty’s Prison where
fifteen (15) of them wrote nineteen (19) subjects and returned 18
passes or a 94.73% pass rate which comprised of nine (9) grade
ones, six (6) grade twos and three (3) grade threes. At the New
Horizons Rehabilitation Centre, six (6) students wrote eighteen
(18) subjects and returned 10 passes or a 55.55% pass rate
which comprised of three (3) grade ones, three (3) twos and four
(4) threes. Our sincerest thanks to Mr. Newrish Nital and the
management and staff of the NHRC.
For CAPE, we have had slightly improved pass rates in both
Nevis and St. Kitts over the past year. It is apparent, however,
that much work needs to be done in a number of subject areas to
ensure that our students get the very best chance of achieving
success
in
their
studies.
At
CSEC,
we
have
had
an
unprecedented number of students performing exceptionally well.
19
Their names have been mentioned above. Overall student
performance has been acceptable, however, emphasis needs to
be placed on improving the quality of grades returned. The
Ministry takes note of the fact that although there was
improvement in Mathematics this year, we should not be
complacent.
CCSLC will continue to create the foundation
needed in the core areas at the lower secondary level and we will
endeavour to invest the necessary resources and have the
mechanisms put in place for improvement in Test of Standards.
As we close this chapter of the 2014-2015 academic year, we
look forward to another year with great expectation. We intend to
capitalize on our strengths and replicate our successes while
working incessantly to conquer our areas of weakness and
promote even greater success among our students. Let us then
continue to pray for even greater resolve and commitment on the
part of our teachers and education sector managers. And may we
work together as parents, educators and members of the wider
society, for the continued improvement of the education system
and the overall empowerment of our young people.
May God bless us all