A sharp fall in English scores and continuing weaknesses in literacy and mathematics in this year’s Barbados Secondary Schools’ Entrance Examination should alert the public that young learners’ grammar and comprehension are not at an acceptable level, literacy specialist Shawntelle Morgan has said.

Morgan said the findings point to deeper challenges that will inevitably significantly affect students as they transition to secondary school.

The national mean in English fell from 72.5 in 2025 to 64.2 this year. While Acting Chief Education Officer Julia Beckles noted that overall results remained broadly consistent with recent years, she acknowledged ongoing concerns about students’ competency in grammar, vocabulary, comprehension and the application of mathematical concepts.