Region Five NGSA pass rate climbs from 37% to 53%, outpacing national average

The Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) Education Department recorded its strongest academic rebound in years in 2025, with National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) pass rates increasing from 37 per cent in 2024 to 53 per cent in 2025, surpassing the national average of 52 per cent; a turnaround that regional education officials described as evidence of disciplined planning, targeted intervention and renewed accountability in schools.
The figures were disclosed by Regional Education Officer (REO) Selestine Bristol-LaRose on Thursday, during the department’s annual awards ceremony held under the theme “Honouring Excellence, Inspiring Tomorrow.” The ceremony recognised educators, administrators, students, and partners whose performances contributed to the region’s measurable academic gains in 2025.
Bristol-LaRose told the gathering that the results marked a decisive shift from the region’s previous position below the national benchmark.
“In 2024, our regional performance was 37 per cent, while the national performance was 39 per cent. In 2025, we moved to 53 per cent regionally, while the national average was 52 per cent,” she said. “We are now focused on pushing even further in 2026,” the REO added.
She explained that NGSA performance is measured by the percentage of pupils achieving 50 per cent or higher across all core subjects – mathematics, English, social studies, and science – making the 16-point regional increase particularly significant.
Several primary schools were singled out for outstanding and improved performance. Augsburg Primary School maintained a 100 per cent pass rate, continuing its record of consistent excellence. Mortice Primary recorded a 75 per cent pass rate, while Karamat Primary reached 80 per cent, following what the department described as significant improvement efforts.
Gender disparities were also highlighted, with 60 per cent of girls achieving the 50 per cent benchmark across subjects, compared with 46 per cent of boys. Bristol-Larose said closing that gap remains a priority for 2026.

Secondary level improvements
At the secondary level, the region recorded similar recovery trends. CSEC matriculation rates rose from 31 per cent in 2023 and 20 per cent in 2024 to 36 per cent in 2025. Novar Secondary School achieved 100 per cent passes in mathematics, while Woodland Park Secondary posted overall improvement across all subject areas. The region also surpassed the national average in more than 80 per cent of the subjects written.
Matriculation among boys stood at 32 per cent, while girls recorded 38 per cent, reflecting a gradual balancing in performance outcomes.
Beyond academics, the region maintained its presence in extracurricular achievement. Secondary schools placed fifth at the National Secondary Schools Athletics Competition, while the Technical Institute secured ninth position, reinforcing the department’s position that holistic education remains central to student development.

Commitment of families, educators, and state
Bristol-LaRose credited the improvements to structured monitoring by the Inspectorate Unit, clearer performance targets for schools, and the commitment of educators and families.
“Excellence is not accidental; it is the result of discipline, sacrifice, and belief in the value of hard work,” she said.
Meanwhile, Regional Chairman Ricardo Phillips said the academic turnaround reflected deliberate investments in human development and reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to education as a cornerstone of regional progress.
“Discipline, hard work, excellence, and responsibility are not just personal virtues; they are national imperatives. Your success did not happen in isolation. It is the result of deliberate investments by families, educators, and the state,” Phillips said.
He assured that Region Five remains a development priority, noting that progress must be measured not only in infrastructure but also in the capacity of citizens to lead, innovate, and contribute meaningfully to society.
“When we recognise excellence, we send a clear message that merit matters, that performance matters, and that this region rewards those who apply themselves,” he added.
He also reminded awardees that leadership responsibilities begin with recognition.
“Leadership begins now. You are expected to set examples, to serve and to contribute positively to your communities,” Phillips told the honourees.

A celebration
On that point, Deputy Chief Education Officer (DCEO) Dr Ritesh Tularam described the ceremony as a celebration of “transformed lives, strengthened skills and empowered futures”, while commending the Ministry of Education, the Regional Democratic Council and school leaders for sustaining standards that produced tangible outcomes.
He said the achievements being recognised were the product of persistence, discipline, and consistent effort, not isolated success.
“There is no elevator to success,” Tularam told the audience, which included parents. “You have to take the stairs, with dedication, responsibility, and commitment,” he continued.
The DCEO urged the awardees to serve as ambassadors of excellence, reminding them that attitude, integrity, and professionalism would define their future contributions.
To parents and guardians, he acknowledged that sacrifices at home remained fundamental to every achievement.
“Strong families create strong communities, and strong communities create a strong nation,” Phillips added in his address.
The ceremony also served as encouragement to those not receiving awards, with regional officials emphasising that access, opportunity, and support would continue to expand for all students across Mahaica-Berbice.
With Region Five now exceeding national averages in key academic indicators and recording renewed stability in secondary matriculation, education officials said the challenge for 2026 is no longer recovery but sustained growth.
“Our results show that Region Five is rising, and we are determined that this upward trajectory will continue,” Bristol-Larose declared.