At both the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE), Guyana has seen an overall improvement when compared to last year’s figures.
Chief Education Officer, Dr Marcel Hutson
Chief Education Officer, Dr Marcel Hutson announced Guyana’s achievement when he reported on the preliminary statistics on Monday.
“In both examinations, we saw about three per cent improvement in the performance. I just want you to know that education is a serious business and it cannot be obtained in a hostile environment. Therefore, if we’re going to advance, all stakeholders need to pull our weight and work together,” the senior education official positioned.
For CSEC, 10,368 candidates were registered as opposed to 9808 in 2021. There were 62,990 subject entries. This year, there was an overall pass rate of 68.5 per cent when compared to 66.3 per cent in 2021. There was improved performance in 20 subject areas.
Pass rates this year are 70.84 for the English Language, 72.47 for English Literature, 34.26 per cent for Mathematics, 99.43 per cent for Agricultural Science (double award), 95.56 for Agricultural Science (single award), 82.17 per cent for Biology, 63.35 per cent for Physics, 78.37 per cent for Human and Social Biology, 72.26 per cent for Integrated Science, 60.11 per cent for Chemistry, 78.41 per cent for Principles of Business, 75.14 per cent for Principles of Account, 64.49 per cent for Economics, 85.06 per cent for Office Administration, 90 per cent for EDPM, 55.4 per cent in Social Studies, 64.06 per cent for Caribbean History, 59 per cent Caribbean History, 99.34 per cent for Theatre Arts and 100 per cent for Music.
For the TVET subject areas, there was a pass rate of over 75 per cent. In modern languages, French is 62.01 per cent, Spanish is 55.28 per cent and Portuguese is 76.93 per cent.
For the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE), a total of 671 from 12 secondary schools and four private centres sat the exams. There were 17 examination centres across the country, the most recent additions being West Demerara Secondary and Anna Regina Secondary.
In 2021, there were 723 candidates with a pass rate of 90.86. This year’s pass rate is 93.22 per cent – a significant improvement for the country. The gender pass rate is 34 per cent males when compared to 66 per cent females.
A breakdown of the performance shows 12.19 per cent Grade Ones, 21.60 per cent Grade Twos, 26.13 per cent Grade Threes, 20.08 per cent Grade Fours and 12.22 per cent Grade Fives.
Candidates obtained a 100 per cent pass rate in 35 subject areas. An improved performance was recorded in Integrated Mathematics from 78.67 per cent in 2021 to 83.67 per cent in 2022. Pure Mathematics Units 1 and 2 recorded improved performances in 2022. Pure Mathematics Unit 1 moved from 58.89 per cent in 2021 to 65.35 per cent. Pure Mathematics Unit 2 recorded a pass rate of 80.95 per cent as against 74.17 per cent last year.
Caribbean Studies and Communication Studies continue to record an over 90 per cent pass rate.
“It’s clear that we have seen an improvement in the past rate by some three per cent. Candidates offered units in 33 subject areas, each unit comprises of three modules, equivalent to 250 credit hours and is separately examined and certified,” Dr Hutson explained.
In 2021, e-testing was rolled out at Queen’s College, St Roses High and St Joseph High. This year, nine examination sites used the e-testing modality in 22 subject areas. Paper Twos were also administered electronically for Digital Media and Animation & Gaming Design.
Dr Hutson explained that performances in 28 subject areas remained stable. These include biology, chemistry, computer science, digital media, environmental science, physics, sociology, Spanish, physical education among others. Declining marks were observed in 15 areas, but none were below 76 per cent. (Rupa Seenaraine)
