As Barbados and other Caribbean territories grapple with the implications of recent poor CXC English and Mathematics examination results, former Central Bank governor Dr Delisle Worrell argues that mastery of these subjects is crucial for economic development.
Dr Worrell, in his September monthly economic letter, recommends improvements to educational outcomes: “For reasons of both social and economic development, the Caribbean needs to improve educational outcomes. That effort has to begin with well-informed strategies to provide all students graduating from primary and secondary schools with competency in Maths and English.”
The independent international economic consultant emphasised that while “Maths and English are not the be-all and end-all, they are the essential pillars on which our system of knowledge is built”. He added that students proficient in these subjects “may take full advantage of opportunities to further their knowledge and expertise, on the path to productive and fulfilling lives”.
Dr Worrell’s comments follow a statement made last month by Dr Wayne Wesley, chief executive officer of the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC), who warned that the lack of proficiency in Mathematics and English could have long-term socio-economic consequences. Just over 50 per cent of students achieved a passing grade in both subjects in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams this year.
The CXC CEO argued that English and Mathematics are fundamental to functioning in today’s world and form the foundation on which anything else can be acquired, learned or achieved.
But Dr Worrell, who founded the Central Bank of Barbados’ research department in 1973, contends that the problem is more extensive than the CXC results suggest. He proposes that the number of students failing to reach passing grades should be augmented by those who dropped out of secondary school or did not take these crucial subjects.
He also highlighted Dr Wesley’s reminder of poor results among Barbadian primary school students in the 11-plus exam which assesses proficiency at the start of secondary school. Most Barbadian students were found to lack acceptable competency in Maths and English at this stage.
Dr Worell, a former consultant to the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), argues that proficiency in these subjects is key to improving the Caribbean labour force’s skills, quality, and productivity. “Improved labour productivity in turn plays a crucial role in maintaining and improving the international competitiveness of Caribbean exports, tourism, and other foreign earning activities,” the economist said.
He pointed out that in addition to its crucial contribution to the quality of the workforce and international competitiveness, a sound education contributes directly to the development of society, as reflected in the United Nations Development Programme’s Human Development Index. (EJ)
