Common Entrance results show ‘worrying fall’ in English scores

A sharp fall in English scores and continuing weaknesses in literacy and mathematics in this year’s Barbados Secondary Schools’ Entrance Examination should alert the public that young learners’ grammar and comprehension are not at an acceptable level, literacy specialist Shawntelle Morgan has said. Morgan said the findings point to deeper challenges that will inevitably significantly affect students as they transition to secondary school. The national mean in English fell from 72.5 in 2025 to 64.2 this year. While Acting Chief Education Officer Julia Beckles noted that overall results remained broadly consistent with recent years, she acknowledged ongoing concerns about students’ competency in grammar, vocabulary, comprehension and the application of mathematical concepts. Morgan, founder of I-Teach Transformative Knowledge Solutions Ltd, said the ministry’s assessment should not be viewed as a sign that the situation is acceptable. “The language says to me that we need to be more aggressive in what it is that we’re doing to close these gaps,” she told Barbados TODAY. She pointed in particular to concerns about students’ ability to understand expository texts, warning that this skill is critical for success at the secondary level. “When they say significant deficits persist in English language use and expository text comprehension, that is what those learners will encounter at secondary school,” Morgan said. “The secondary curriculum is where students will encounter most expository texts, and if they have challenges with that structure, they are going to struggle in a real and serious way.” Morgan argued that literacy weaknesses identified at the primary level cannot be ignored once students enter secondary school. “Those learners will have the deficits they’ve brought over from primary school, and then they will struggle to engage with content at the secondary level,” she said. “While they are supposed to be reading to learn, they still have gaps that need to be filled.” Even students who performed well overall may face challenges, she added, as they encounter more complex subject-specific reading demands. “They may be okay with general literacy skills, but the more intense disciplinary literacy within subjects at secondary school is another matter. How are they going to navigate that and how are they going to be supported?” The latest results should prompt educators and policymakers to examine whether existing literacy initiatives are producing the desired outcomes, or merely glossing over a systemic issue, Morgan said. “If we look at the data and see that we are regressing somewhat, then we have to ask ourselves why, and how do we pivot from where we currently are.” While acknowledging that considerable effort has been invested in literacy programmes, Morgan maintained that a more individualised approach is needed: “We need to have a system in place where learners are assessed and instruction is shifted to meet their needs. You cannot build on a weak foundation.” She argued that schools must move beyond simply progressing through the curriculum by grade level and instead ensure students have mastered key concepts before advancing. Morgan also called for a coordinated national response before the start of the new academic year, including consultation between ministry officials, primary and secondary school teachers, and school administrators. “It cannot be business as usual. You cannot have summer intervention and then return to traditional teaching after that.” Among the measures she would like to see are comprehensive assessments to identify learning gaps, expanded funding for schools, and additional resources to support students, particularly as the education system places greater emphasis on project-based learning. “We would want to hear that adequate resources have been provided prior to the school year opening. This will call for planning before the school year opens.”    (SB) The post Common Entrance results show ‘worrying fall’ in English scores appeared first on Barbados Today.