An analysis of the 2019 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate Examination (CSEC) results reveals that the overall pass rate at the General and Technical proficiencies for Grades One to Three was 73%, compared to 69.1% in 2018. This is Guyana’s best-recorded performance, says Education Minister, Dr Nicolette Henry.
A total of 11,467 candidates were registered for 2019. According to the minister, there were improvements in 21 subject areas, with seven remaining constant and another seven showing that there was better performance in 2018.
She noted that there were outstanding performances in 13 subjects where 90% and over of candidates gained acceptable grades (Grades One to Three). Some subjects with outstanding performances were Agricultural Science (Double Award) with 99%, Religious Education with 100%, Information Technology with 98%, Physical Education and Sports with 100%, and Industrial Technology (Electrical) with 93.4%.
Mathematics and English
Grades One to Three passes in English A have increased, the minister said, with a pass rate of 77% in 2019 as against 67% in 2018. Mathematics, on the other hand, remained constant with a pass rate of 43% in both 2018 and 2019. Additional Mathematics, however, increased from 68.4% in 2018 to 80% in 2019.
Sciences
There were improvements in the Grades One to Three passes in Science subjects this year, the minister reported. She noted improvements in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Biology moved from 64% in 2018 to 77% in 2019, while Chemistry recorded a pass rate of 62% in 2019 compared to 56.4% in 2018. In 2019, Physics recorded a pass rate of 70% compared to 66.2% last year.
Further, Agricultural Science (Double Award) moved from 97% in 2018 to 99% in 2019, while Agricultural Science (Single Award) moved from 87% to 96%.
A wane in performance was noted in Human and Social Biology (HSB) and Integrated Science. HSB moved from 72.4% in 2018 to 62% in 2019. Integrated Science, on the other hand, recorded a pass rate of 69.1% this year. The pass rate for last year was not provided.
Business
Improved performances were noted in Office Administration, Principles of Accounts, and Principles of Business
Subject 2018 2019
Office Administration 84.2% 87%
Principles of Accounts 74.4% 83%
Principles of Business 84% 87%
Meanwhile, Electronic Documentation and Preparation and Management attained a constant performance with a pass rate of 97.2% in 2019 as compared to 98% in 2018.
Humanities and Expressive Arts
The pass rate for Religious Education increased from 97% in 2018 to 100% in 2019. Caribbean History gained a pass rate of 68.1% in 2019 and 72% in 2018. An improved performance was noted in the pass rate for Geography from 72.1% in 2018 to 76% for this year.
Meanwhile, the performance in Theatre Arts remained constant with a pass rate of 99.3% in 2018 and 99.4% in 2019. Visual Arts continued to show improvement, Minister Henry said, with a pass rate of 50% in 2018 to 71% in 2019.
