Antigua and Barbuda’s overall CSEC pass rate declined to 75.3 per cent in 2026, down from 77.4 per cent last year, with education officials acknowledging disappointment over the decrease while pointing to strong performances across most subject areas.

Preliminary figures presented by CXC Local Registrar Maritza West show that 1,391 students completed 8,560 subject sittings this year.

The 75.3 per cent pass rate represents a decline of 2.1 percentage points from 2025. It is also lower than the 76.6 per cent recorded in 2024.

“While there was a slight decline from 77.4 per cent in 2025 and 76.6 per cent in 2024, the 2026 performance remained relatively consistent,” West said during an ABS Presents discussion on the examination results.

Director of Education Clare Browne said the results reflected successes and challenges while providing a clear indication of the areas requiring further work.

“I think the results present a narrative of success, of challenges, and certainly index where we need to go, index that we have work to do,” Browne said.

“When I look at the results overall, in part I would say that I feel some measure of disappointment, and I’m not going to come and sit before the nation and sugarcoat anything. I think any decline at all in any kind of academic result for me is a little disappointing.”

Despite the overall decline, Antigua and Barbuda performed above the regional average in 21 of the 32 CSEC subjects offered. The country matched the regional average in Physical Education and Sport.

Strong results were recorded in several academic, technical and vocational subjects. Additional Mathematics achieved a 100 per cent pass rate, while Industrial Technology — Building Technology recorded 99.4 per cent and Physical Education and Sport achieved 99.1 per cent.

Other high-performing subjects included Theatre Arts at 96 per cent, Food, Nutrition and Health at 95.9 per cent, Technical Drawing at 95.1 per cent, Family and Resource Management at 94.5 per cent, Biology at 94 per cent and Visual Arts at 91.2 per cent.

Office Administration also recorded a pass rate above 90 per cent, reaching 90.3 per cent.

English A achieved an 80.6 per cent pass rate, compared with 71.5 per cent in English B. Information Technology recorded 86.7 per cent, Principles of Business 86.9 per cent and Human and Social Biology 87.4 per cent.

However, Mathematics remained the most significant concern, recording a pass rate of 30.3 per cent. French stood at 45 per cent, Caribbean History at 55.6 per cent, Music at 61.7 per cent and Geography at 62.7 per cent.

“Math continues to be — and that jumps at me — Mathematics and the 30 per cent pass rate that we have this year,” Browne said. “And I did say that it indicates that there is work to be done.”

Chemistry recorded a 70.2 per cent pass rate, Physics 74.2 per cent, Economics 74.1 per cent, Principles of Accounts 73.4 per cent, Social Studies 70.4 per cent and Spanish 69.1 per cent.

Browne congratulated the students, teachers and schools that performed well but said the ministry would not disregard the decline in the overall results.

“This year, in the overall percentage pass, we have slipped maybe two percentage points in the wrong direction, and that, for me, holds a little bit of disappointment,” he said. “But nonetheless, we celebrate the successes.”

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Antigua and Barbuda’s CSEC Pass Rate Falls to 75.3 Per Cent.