The gender gap in regional education continues to widen as students advance beyond the early years of secondary school, with females accounting for most candidates sitting CSEC and CAPE examinations in 2026.
Figures released by the Caribbean Examinations Council show that females represented 62% of CAPE candidates, compared with 38% for males.
At the CSEC level, females accounted for 59% of candidates, while males represented 41%.
CXC Director of Operations Dr. Nicole Manning highlighted the disparity during Tuesday’s official release of the May-June 2026 examination results in Anguilla.
She said participation is almost evenly divided between boys and girls at the primary level, but the balance shifts as students move through secondary school and into post-secondary education.
At the Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Level Competence level, males accounted for 52% of candidates and females 48%. CCSLC candidates are generally in the first three years of secondary school.
The figures indicate that the gender disparity develops later in the education system, with fewer males progressing to or participating in CSEC and CAPE examinations.
“It gets less and less as you go higher,” Manning said.
She called for a deeper examination of the factors contributing to the growing divide and said educators must work together to keep boys engaged in education as they advance through school.
CXC did not identify a single cause for the disparity during the presentation. However, Manning said the trend requires attention from education authorities throughout the Caribbean.
The council wants educators and policymakers to determine why participation begins near an even 50-50 split at the primary level but changes to 62% female and 38% male by the time students reach CAPE.
The figures relate to the proportion of males and females registered for the examinations and do not, by themselves, compare their respective pass rates.
This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Boys Continue to Fall Behind Girls at CSEC and CAPE Levels.