VI Tops OECS in Grade 2 Tests
Preliminary results show the Virgin Islands placed first among eight OECS Member States in the 2024 Grade 2 Early Reading and Mathematics Assessments, with students from all public primary schools and five private schools achieving the highest regional scores. The Ministry of Education says the findings reflect progress in teaching and will guide targeted instructional priorities.
The Virgin Islands has topped the Eastern Caribbean region in the OECS Early Reading Assessment (OERA) and Early Mathematics Assessment (OEMA) for Grade 2, according to preliminary findings released by the Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports. Students from all public primary schools and five private primary schools in the Territory were included in the assessments, which form part of an annual regional exercise that measured foundational literacy and numeracy skills among some 7,400 Grade 2 pupils across Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
The VI achieved an overall Reading score of 86 per cent, outpacing the OECS average of 73 per cent. Ninety-seven per cent of VI Grade 2 students reached the minimum reading proficiency level compared with an OECS average of 86 per cent. Performance across reading genres was strong: Visual Text 88 per cent, Fiction 89 per cent, and Non-Fiction 67 per cent.
In Mathematics the Territory also ranked first, posting an overall average of 70 per cent against the OECS average of 65 per cent. Ninety-five per cent of VI students attained minimum mathematics proficiency compared with a regional average of 78 per cent. The Territory recorded the region’s highest scores in Geometrical Thinking (86 per cent) and Operations with Numbers (80 per cent), and tied with Saint Lucia for Measurement (78 per cent).
Additional results included Number Sense at 71 per cent and Data Handling and Probability at 60 per cent. The Ministry said the results reflect a continued commitment to transforming teaching and learning and align with this year’s education theme, “Full STEAM Ahead: Future-Focused, Student-Led,” which emphasises equipping students with foundational skills for a changing world.
Chief Education Officer Mrs Orlandette R. Crabbe praised the system’s educators, stating the achievement “is a testament to their collective belief that every child in the Virgin Islands can learn, excel, and succeed.” She offered special commendation to Education Officers, principals, instructional coaches, specialists and teachers.
Officials say the assessment data will inform future instructional priorities in the Territory, with particular attention to strengthening understanding of Patterns and Relationships in Mathematics and improving comprehension of Non-Fiction texts—areas identified for continued regional focus.
For BVI parents, teachers and policymakers, the results provide evidence to guide curriculum decisions and targeted supports in early grades.
Primary source: VINO