Saint Lucia has recorded its strongest overall Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) performance in six years, outperforming the Caribbean average. But amid the gains, Mathematics remains the clear trouble spot, with more than half of candidates failing the subject.
The Ministry of Education unveiled the country’s 2026 CSEC and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) results on Thursday, with Registrar of Examinations Patterson Abraham providing an overview of student performance.
At the CSEC level, Saint Lucia recorded 12 218 subject entries and an overall pass rate of 78.93 per cent, compared with the regional average of 72.18 per cent.
The result represents the country’s best overall CSEC performance in six years and included several standout subjects.
Every candidate who sat Agricultural Science (Double Award), Industrial Technology (Mechanical), Physical Education and Sport, and Religious Education received a passing grade.
Pass rates of between 90 and 99 per cent were also recorded in Food, Nutrition and Health; Theatre Arts; Industrial Technology (Electrical); Technical Drawing; Biology; Industrial Technology (Building); Agricultural Science (Single Award); and Additional Mathematics.
However, the overall improvement was not reflected across the board. Performance declined in 14 subject areas, with Music, Caribbean History and Additional Mathematics recording the most significant drops.
And despite an improvement over last year, Mathematics remains the biggest challenge.
Saint Lucia’s CSEC Mathematics pass rate increased by 4.66 per cent to 46.81 per cent, meaning more than half of the candidates who sat the subject did not achieve a passing grade.
The Ministry has characterised Mathematics as “the single largest concern”, with the subject accounting for more failing grades than any other in 2026.
The results at the CAPE level were stronger.
A total of 351 candidates sat CAPE examinations, with Saint Lucia recording an overall pass rate of 96.82 per cent.
Only two institutions participated in CAPE this year: Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC) and Vieux Fort Comprehensive Secondary School Campus B (VFCSS).
SALCC improved on its 94.77 per cent performance last year, recording a 96.34 per cent pass rate in 2026. VFCSS remained slightly ahead with 97.34 per cent, although that represented a minor decline from the 98.89 per cent recorded last year.
There was also a turnaround in performance between male and female CAPE candidates.
Males outperformed females last year, but the positions reversed in 2026, with female candidates achieving an overall pass rate of 97 per cent, compared with 95 per cent among males.
Taken together, the results show Saint Lucia making gains at both levels where the country is now performing above the regional average in the vast majority of subjects.
