JAMAICAN students performed better in the City & Guilds math exam than they did in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exam.

The City & Guilds of London Institute, in a release Wednesday, said for the June 2024 exam cycle, 21,681 candidates sat the math skills exam, with 12,565 achieving a passing grade [distinction, merit and pass], leading to a 58 per cent pass rate — a three per cent improvement, compared to the previous year.

“Within this cohort, the MoEYI [Ministry of Education and Youth] subsidised grade 11 and sixth-form students achieved a 56 per cent pass rate which did not change over the June 2023 results,” City & Guilds said.

Education Minister Fayval Williams announce earlier this week that of the 31,660 students who sat CSEC math in 2024, there was a 38.9 per cent pass rate. Williams said she was not satisfied with the performance of students in the exam.

The math results, said City & Guilds, underscores the effectiveness of its staged approach which facilitates certification across three stages, with stage three matching closest to the regional exam.

“This approach ensures a solid foundation in mathematics, equipping students with the skills necessary for both academic and professional success. Additionally, the unique assessment strategy, which emphasises practical application and real-world problem-solving, continues to resonate well with students and educators alike,” City & Guilds said in its release.

At the same time, commenting on the results, Marva A Duncanson, Caribbean representative for City & Guilds, said: “We are proud of the consistent performance in mathematics as it reflects the hard work and dedication of both students and educators. The City & Guilds qualifications are designed to meet the diverse needs of learners, providing them with globally recognised credentials that open doors to further studies and career opportunities worldwide. Our staged approach ensures that no student is left behind, and every learner can achieve mastery at their own pace.”

For the national cohort in June 2024, the English skills exam saw 16,283 candidates sitting, with 12,310 passing, a pass rate of 76 per cent, which was a three per cent decrease from 2023.