Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) in Dominica

The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC), established in 1972 by CARICOM governments, is responsible for administering the regionally standardised examinations that guide academic progress across the Caribbean. In Dominica, CXC exams serve as national benchmarks. Students undergo the Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment (CPEA) at Grade 6, the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) after five years of secondary school, and optionally the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) after post-secondary studies. Mastery in these exams determines student placement, scholarships, bursaries, and tertiary access, which are integral components of educational policy in Dominica.

Examination Performance and National Trends

Dominica consistently achieves strong CXC results in several subjects. In 2024, local CSEC data showed English A pass rates at 83%, exceeding the regional average of 76%. Subjects like Chemistry, Human & Social Biology, Physical Education, and Information Technology also posted pass rates of 80–95%, showcasing broad academic strength. Mathematics, however, remained problematic at 38%, above the Caribbean average of 36% but a subject area of renewed national focus.

Dominica’s CSEC performance has varied since the 1980s:

• 1990s–2000s: Most subjects like English and Biology maintained pass rates between 70% and 85%.
• 2010–2015: English A success hovered around 80–85%; science subjects held between 70–80%; Mathematics trended 35–45%.
• 2016–2019: English A remained robust at 78–83%; Chemistry, IT, and Biology remained strong (80–90%); Math stabilized near 38%.
• 2020–2023: Math dropped to 34% in 2021, recovered to 43% in 2023 .
• 2024: English A at approximately 83% and Math fell to roughly 36%, mirroring regional declines.

Dominica consistently exceeds regional averages in subjects like chemistry, IT, biology, and English B (English B pass rate increased 10% to 84% in 2024), even as core math performance remains a concern.

Influence on Bursaries and Student Progression

CXC results directly inform bursary allocations and secondary placement. Top-performing Grade 6 students in the CPEA often receive government bursaries to support secondary education, a strategy that helps reduce dropout rates and enhances equity . At the secondary level, CSEC results determine who qualifies for tertiary bursaries, notably for CAPE-level studies at institutions like Dominica State College and the University of the West Indies. This linkage underscores CXC’s pivotal role in educational mobility and national workforce planning.

Challenges, Reforms, and Regional Collaboration

Despite strengths, Dominican education faces challenges, particularly in mathematics. The regional pass rate for CSEC Math is low (36%), and concerns over literacy and numeracy have spurred CXC to commission support projects, including AI-based interventions. In Dominica, education authorities are responding with targeted teacher training, revised syllabi, and early intervention programs.

CXC’s evolving initiatives, such as the new On-Demand Course for Digital Education Practitioners, expanded Principles of Business syllabi, and enhanced exam security, signal responsive academic governance cxc.org. Furthermore, CXC has increased engagement with national ministries. The Ministry of Education in Dominica actively coordinates exam scheduling, result dissemination, and student data analysis. For instance, the Ministry’s YouTube announcement of 2024 CXC results attracted widespread attention, highlighting public and governmental focus on academic performance youtube.com.