Parents urged to support children amid decline in CXC passes

Professor Wendel Abel is urging parents to adopt a supportive approach to help their children who may be disappointed with their exam results.

The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC), which administers the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE), has reported a troubling decline in pass rates for critical subjects.

According to the regional examination body, only 36 per cent of candidates across the region received a passing grade in the May-June 2024 CSEC mathematics exam.

English language also saw a decline, with only 76 per cent of students achieving grades one to three, a two percentage point decrease from last year.

Other subjects, such as chemistry and physics, also experienced varied performance rates, indicating a mixed bag of results across the board.

Abel, a consultant psychiatrist and therapist, emphasised the importance of parental support in times of academic disappointment.

"Every parent wants the best for their child and expects that they will always perform at their peak. However, disappointment is a common experience," Abel said.

"It's crucial for parents to reassure their children that their worth is not solely defined by their exam results. Instead, we should focus on providing emotional support and encouragement."

He said that when children perceive themselves as failures, compared to their peers, it can significantly impact their self-esteem.

"Parents must avoid comparisons and instead focus on constructive discussions about how their children can improve and overcome setbacks," he said.

Abel's advice comes in response to a distressing case in which a student, feeling inadequate due to her exam results, expressed thoughts of self-harm.

"Such extreme reactions underscore the need for parents to be particularly sensitive and supportive during these times," Abel said.

"Failure in exams is not the end. Many successful individuals have faced setbacks and have used them as learning experiences."

Rajae Danvers, youth leader and communication strategist, stressed the importance of adapting parenting strategies.

"For parents who are celebrating their children's successes, it's important to continue fostering an environment of encouragement. For those facing disappointment, it's an opportunity to reassess and adapt," Danvers suggested. "Failure should not be seen as a final verdict, but as an opportunity for growth and a change in approach."

Danvers also looked on the broader educational landscape, opining on the need for systemic improvements.

"The national aggregate scores raise concerns and suggest that we need to revisit how we are preparing our students for the future," he asserted.

"Education should be a tool for social mobility, and it's essential for both students and parents to remain focused on long-term goals and resilience."