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– CPEA, CCSLC, CSEC – there were excellent teaching practices geared to improve student
learning that were applicable across the system.

The Local Registrar also pointed out that the syllabi for the core subjects for lower secondary
that were developed by subject teachers drew their contents and methodology from a variety of
sources including the grade six, CCSLC and CSEC syllabi. She stated that the approach adopted
was spiral and so the pronouncement from secondary level teachers that students had already
done at primary content that should be taught at secondary should not be a reality. She however
insisted that teachers should not consider this negatively, but an opportunity for students’ prior
learning to be solidified.

Report on the 2017 CAPE Performance

The Committee received the report on the 2017 CAPE results from Dr. Clarice Barnes, principal
of the Montserrat Community College (MCC). A total of forty nine (49) students were examined
in nineteen (19) subjects. The MCC realised an overall pass rate of 92% from one hundred and
ninety four (194) entries and one hundred and ninety three (193) sittings. 100% passes were
obtained in sixteen (16) of the twenty three (23) Units examined as opposed to twelve (12) of
twenty three (23) last year.

Grade Distribution by Gender

Sex Grade 1 Grade2 Grade3 Grade 4 Grade5 Grade6 Grade7
Male 5.83 21.36 25.24 22.33 14.56 7.77 2.91
Female 4.44 16.67 18.29 26.67 16.67 13.33 3.33
Total 5.18 19.17 22.28 24.35 15.54 10.36 3.11

The Committee heard that overall, the majority of the 2017 grades were within the range of 1-4;
however the highest number of students obtained Grades 3-4. Males had more Grades 1s and 2s
than females, and they also experienced fewer failures (Grades 6-7) than females.

There was a decline in passes for Applied Mathematics Unit 1 (80%, 2016 as compared to 100%,
2017) and Accounts Unit 2 (70%, 2017 as compared to 100%, 2016). Pure Mathematics Unit 1
was also down this year (90%) as was Computer Science Unit 1 (92%), and Management of
Business Unit 1 (88%). Chemistry Unit 1 improved (88%, 2017 compared to 67%, 2016). This
year Biology Unit 1 passes significantly increased to 100% compared to 67% the previous year.

Passes in Integrated Mathematics declined from 35% in 2016 to 29% although there were Grades
1, 2 and 3 passes. The principal informed the Committee that this subject continued to be a
challenge to students and the faculty who delivered it. She cited students’ poor foundation skills,
large class size, perception that the depth and width of the syllabus is too extensive and the lack