BOYS outperformed girls in additional mathematics, music, principles of business, and theatre arts in this year’s sittimg of the Caribbean Secondary Examinations Council exams.

Speaking Wednesday at a virtual press conference for the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) — the body responsible for the administration and ratification of the exams — Education Minister Fayval Williams noted that boys received 65.6 per cent passes in mathematics, 83.1 per cent passes in music, 82.7 per cent passes in principles of business, and 78. 8 per cent passes in theatre arts, while females received 64.8 per cent, 75.9 per cent, 82.4 per cent and 77.9 per cent, respectively.

At the same time, Williams noted that mathematics and English language recorded a decline in percentage passes of 37.2 per cent and 69.9 per cent, respectively, when compared to last year. In 2021, there were 38.2 per cent passes in mathematics and 73.3 per cent in English Language.

“When the average attainment rates were compared with 2021 results, there was a 1.0 percentage point decrease in mathematics and a 3.4 percentage points decrease in English language,” Williams explained.

“For the science-related subjects, percentage pass rates ranged from 53.4 per cent to 75.9 per cent. These were as follows: biology 75.9 per cent, chemistry 56.3 per cent, human and social biology 61.9 per cent, integrated science 53.4 per cent, and physics 62.2 per cent,” she added.

A total of 46,727 candidates were registered to sit the examination, of which 28,658 were females and 18,069 were males. Of those who entered, 42,488 candidates sat, with 32,573 students who passed at least one subject grades one to three.

Meanwhile, for Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) there was a total of 49,417 subject entries for Units 1 and 2. Of this number, 46,023 were sat with an average pass rate of 88.5 per cent.

For CAPE Unit 1, 12 subjects including Caribbean studies, digital media, entrepreneurship, Spanish, physics and literatures in English had average pass rates over 90 per cent. Only French had a pass rate of 100 per cent.

Meanwhile, for CAPE Unit 2, 15 subjects including food and nutrition, chemistry, sociology, and Spanish had average pass rates over 95 per cent. Two subjects — performing arts (dance) and performing arts (drama) — had an average pass rate of 100 per cent each.

In the meantime, Williams said, despite areas of challenge and concern, “we also see noteworthy improvements and we will continue the efforts to ensure that our students are enabled to pursue their education and career goals”.

She added: “I want to commend all the students who persevered and did their examinations under very trying and challenging circumstances. I also want to encourage those who may not have done as well as they would have liked to look for opportunities that will contribute to improved performance. We thank all our teachers for their hard work as well as the parents who supported the students in their academic pursuits.”