CSEC 2025: Nearly half of Guyana’s secondary schools record declines despite strong gains in others

The Ministry of Education has released the preliminary results of the 2025 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations, showing a mixed national performance with significant improvements in some schools but worrying declines in others.

A total of 12,685 students from 116 schools were registered this year—an increase from 11,612 in 2024. Entries across subjects reached 80,556, while the overall national pass rate for Grades One to Three at the General and Technical proficiencies remained stable at 66.76%.

An analysis of the results revealed sharp contrasts across the country’s schools:

• 50 schools (43%) registered improvements in their pass rates.

• 12 schools (11%) maintained their previous performance.

• 51 schools (46%) recorded declines.

This means nearly as many schools slipped backward as those that made progress—underscoring the uneven nature of education outcomes across the country.

Some institutions recorded exceptional gains. Winifred Gaskin Secondary (+33%), Novar Secondary (+27%), Golden Grove Secondary (+23%), Bush Lot Secondary (+22%), and Black Bush Secondary (+22%) led the way. Other notable performers included Tutorial Academy (+20%), Bygeval Secondary (+18%), and Central Corentyne Secondary (+16%).

Region 6 (East Berbice–Corentyne) emerged as the standout region, with nearly every school improving, while in Georgetown, Campbellville Secondary (+14%) and Cummings Lodge Secondary (+11%) made steady gains. Several hinterland schools—Paramakatoi (+13%), Aishalton (+6%), and Nappi (+5%)—also recorded progress, showing encouraging movement toward bridging the education gap.

Despite these improvements, the Ministry reported that almost half of all schools declined in performance, including institutions in regions that had previously shown stability. This trend suggests ongoing challenges in teaching resources, student preparedness, and overall institutional support.

Even with these setbacks, some new and returning schools demonstrated resilience: Good Hope Secondary (75%) and Yarrowkabra Secondary (64%) recorded commendable first-time results, while New Central High returned after a year’s absence with an impressive 87% pass rate.

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, welcomed the areas of progress but acknowledged the uneven outcomes.

“The 2025 CSEC results reflect both progress and challenges within our education system. We are celebrating remarkable gains, especially in Region 6 and among new entrants, but we are equally focused on robustly supporting those institutions where performance has declined or stagnated,” she said.

She credited improvements to increased access to classrooms, trained teachers, and expanded resources, while promising that interventions will target struggling schools to ensure no child is left behind.

While Guyana’s national pass rate remains stable, the near-even split between schools that improved and those that declined paints a complex picture of the education landscape. The Ministry said it remains committed to driving consistency in performance across all regions.