The Caribbean is facing a severe education crisis, with recent data revealing critical gaps in learning outcomes. In the 2024 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams, only 4.9 percent of students passed five or more subjects, including Mathematics and English. The mathematics pass rate of 36 percent highlights a long-standing issue in foundational learning, which continues to undermine student success and regional development.
This crisis has deep systemic roots and far-reaching consequences for economic growth, social cohesion, and crime prevention. The region is further challenged by limited participation in globally recognized assessments like the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), which measure and benchmark student performance. Countries such as Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica have scored significantly lower than global averages in PISA, underscoring the need for comprehensive education reform.
A lack of strong foundational skills in literacy, numeracy, and critical thinking is at the heart of the problem. Without these basics, students are unable to progress academically or acquire the higher-order competencies needed to succeed in today’s job market.
Efforts to improve the region’s education systems are underway, including initiatives to enhance teacher training, upgrade infrastructure, and expand access to education. However, further reform is needed in key areas such as strengthening foundational learning, improving data collection systems, integrating digital education, and fostering partnerships between governments, regional organizations, and international development partners.
Promising success stories from the region offer hope. In Guyana, smart classrooms equipped with modern technology have improved student attendance and engagement at schools like Kuru Kururu Primary. Similarly, World Bank-supported projects in Jamaica and Haiti are helping to improve learning conditions through investments in STEM education, teacher training, and access to critical learning resources.
To achieve lasting change, Caribbean countries must adopt a holistic and resilient approach to education reform. This includes preparing education systems to withstand external shocks, such as natural disasters and pandemics, which disproportionately affect vulnerable students.