95% of teachers qualified, in training; 500 more students passed Maths through targeted intervention -Education Minister
During Thursday’s consideration of the 2026 Budget Estimates, Minister of Education Sonia Parag fielded questions on teacher training levels and student performance, assuring the National Assembly that the majority of educators across the system are either qualified or currently in training.
Responding to a question about the ministry’s projection that only 5% of teachers will be trained in 2026, the Minister clarified that this does not indicate a deficiency in the system.
“Yes, 95% have either graduated or are in training, and we have about just 5%,” she told the House.
The line of questioning then shifted to student performance at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) level, particularly the stagnation in CXC matriculation between 2021 and 2025 despite improvements in teacher qualification levels and teacher-student ratios.
In response, the Minister outlined the number of teachers trained annually since 2020. She disclosed that 509 teachers were trained in 2020; 845 in 2021; 46 in 2022; 1,837 in 2023; 1,501 in 2024; and 1,345 in 2025. These, she noted, were trained “in all different disciplines.”
While acknowledging concerns about overall matriculation trends, the Education Minister pointed to gains made through targeted interventions, especially in Mathematics.
She highlighted the expansion of the ministry’s Maths Intervention Programme, describing it as “an excellent program” that has been broadened from 59 schools to 82 schools at the end of 2025 heading into 2026, with a strong focus on hinterland communities.
According to the Minister, the intervention led to measurable improvements. “We have moved in 2025 by 5%, of a 5% increase in the grade,” she stated.
She stressed that while five per cent may appear modest, the impact is significant. “When you look at 5%, it may not look like a lot, but as a matter of fact, 500 students were able to pass mathematics in 2025 because of those interventions. 500 more, 500 more.”
The Minister indicated that the ministry is aiming to see both the percentage increase and the number of successful students rise further in 2026 as the programme continues to expand.
