St Gabriel’s Primary School dominated this year’s Barbados Secondary Schools’ Entrance Examination (BSSEE), producing both the top boy and girl performers, even as national results showed a decline in overall English and mathematics scores compared to last year.
Benjamin Enzo Lucien secured the top overall position with a converted score of 245.13 and a B in composition. He will be going to Harrison College. Xiomara Alexis Lascaris emerged was the highestperforming girl with a score of 244.60 C. She too earned a place at Harrison College.
The results released yesterday by the Ministry of Education showed that 2 764 students sat the exam, also known as the Common Entrance or 11-Plus, 63 fewer than the 2 827 candidates who wrote the test in 2025.
Among the top performers were Paul Anthony Gibson of Hilda Skeene Primary and Kaden Orett Ward of St Cyprian’s Boys’ School, who both scored 244.88. Both are headed to Harrison College.
Peyton Michael Garnes of Blackman and Gollop Primary School and Lascaris tied on 244.60, while Danielle Shayla Benn of The Rock Christian School placed sixth with 244.36.
St Gabriel’s accounted for four of the top 12 students nationally.
Minister of Education Transformation Chad Blackman congratulated the students, teachers and parents while reminding Barbadians that the exam represented only one stage in a child’s educational journey.
“You will have many other opportunities to achieve on this road of success,” he said.
Blackman also urged the public not to define children solely by their examination performance.
“I understand the historical significance the Common Entrance has played within Barbados and this is no different today, but it must not determine how people are viewed. It must not determine a person’s self-worth. It must determine, however, your ability to move forward and to help build and shape this nation.”
The minister said this year’s BSSEE was administered to students from 67 public primary schools, 28 private primary schools and seven homeschooled candidates.
He reported that the ministry received 240 special requests for accommodations, up from 194 last year. These included requests for readers, scribes and enlarged examination papers for students with particular learning needs or challenges.
Fifteen students were also granted permission to sit early.
An analysis of the results presented by acting Chief Education Officer Julia Beckles showed that the national mean in English fell to 64.2, down from 72.5 last year. The score was also lower than the 66.3 recorded in 2023 and 65.2 achieved in 2024.
The national mean in maths stood at 58.04 compared with 60.2 last year, but above the 54.6 recorded in 2024.
Beckles said the results pointed to average levels of competency in both subject areas, but highlighted areas where improvement was needed.
“The analysis reveals that there has been no significant difference in the performance of the students this year when compared to previous years. Students continue to demonstrate average knowledge of basic mathematical concepts. Several students continue to experience extreme difficulty in applying knowledge and skills to new situations,” she said.
Females on top
She added that while female students continued to outperform boys across all sections of both examinations, significant challenges remained in literacy development.
“The analysis reveals that overall student competency in grammar, vocabulary and comprehension is rated as average. Female students achieved higher scores than male students in all sections of the paper. Significant deficits persist in English language usage and expository text comprehension among the student population,” Beckles said.
She reported that 23 students achieved perfect scores in maths this year – 13 boys and ten girls. However, no student attained full marks in English.
There were six with zero in maths, compared with two students last year.
Despite the decline in national averages, Beckles said the ministry would continue to strengthen foundational skills through literacy and numeracy initiatives.
She noted that the National Literacy Programme had already supported 6 421 children and would continue this summer through specialised learning pods targeting students aged 11 to 13. Ten literacy coaches are also expected to join the programme in September.
As students prepare to enter secondary school in September, Blackman said the ministry remained committed to ensuring every child receives the support needed to thrive regardless of the institution to which they have been assigned.
“This year’s examination is only one step along the journey. Every child has gifts and talents and it is our responsibility as a country to ensure that those gifts are nurtured and developed,” he said. (CLM)