BVI Education Records Major Academic Gains
Education Minister Honourable Sharie B. de Castro has highlighted significant academic progress across the Territory, noting top regional rankings and rising graduation rates. Virgin Islands primary students achieved the number one spot in the OECS for Grade 2 literacy and numeracy, while secondary students saw record examination and graduation milestones.
The Virgin Islands education system is experiencing measurable progress following targeted investments in literacy and numeracy, according to Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, Honourable Sharie B. de Castro. Speaking to educators, students, and key stakeholders at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex during the start of the new school year, Minister de Castro framed the recent academic period as a major turning point for the Territory.
She credited deliberate educational policies for delivering substantial improvements from early childhood through secondary education. Key among the accomplishments was the performance of local Grade 2 students in regional assessments administered across eight Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) member states.
Out of more than 7,400 students who sat the exams, Virgin Islands pupils secured the number one ranking in both reading and mathematics. In the Territory, 97 percent of Grade 2 pupils met minimum proficiency standards in reading, while 95 percent achieved minimum proficiency in mathematics.
Secondary education also reached notable benchmarks with the graduating Class of 2026. A total of 248 students completed their secondary studies, achieving an overall graduation rate of 97 percent, with a 100 percent graduation rate among male students. Furthermore, 69 percent of the cohort graduated with honours or high honours, and 54 percent had already earned college credits before leaving secondary school.
Improvement was also evident in the June Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination results. The Territory achieved an overall pass rate of 87 percent, with 14 subjects recording a perfect 100 percent pass rate. English A recorded a 96 percent pass rate, significantly higher than the regional average of approximately 80 percent.
In Mathematics, the pass rate climbed to 62 percent—well above the regional average of 42 percent and marking continuous growth from 46.45 percent in 2024 and 52.61 percent in 2025. Minister de Castro emphasized that while the improvements in mathematics and other subjects are encouraging, work will continue to elevate standards across all public schools.
She commended educators for their dedication to strengthening the Territory's educational foundation.
Primary source: VINO