The Virgin Islands (VI) has topped the 2026 Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Programme for Educational Advancement and Relevant Learning (PEARL) Regional Assessment for Grade 2. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands

97 per cent of VI students reached minimum Reading proficiency as compared to the OECS average of 86 per cent. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands

95 per cent of VI Grade 2 students reached minimum proficiency as compared to the 78 per cent average of the OECS. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands

The VI placed first among the eight participating OECS Member States, and preliminary findings show that Grade 2 students from all public primary schools and five private primary schools achieved the highest overall performance in both the OECS Early Reading Assessment (OERA) and the OECS Early Mathematics Assessment (OEMA). 

The OERA and OEMA are annual regional assessments administered to Grade 2 students across participating OECS Member States to evaluate foundational reading and mathematics skills. Assessments are designed to measure students' literacy and numeracy development at an early stage while providing reliable data to strengthen teaching practices, inform curriculum development, and guide evidence-based decision-making across education systems.

The students were among 7, 400 Grade 2 Students from Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, who sat the assessment. 

Results

Results show that the VI achieved an overall Reading score of 86 per cent compared to the OECS’ average of 73 per cent; 97 per cent of VI students reached minimum Reading proficiency as compared to the OECS average of 86 per cent. 

Students also recorded the highest scores across all three reading genres, achieving 88 per cent in Visual Text, 89 per cent in Fiction, and 67 per cent in Non-Fiction.

In Mathematics, the VI ranked first with an overall average of 70 per cent, while the OECS’ average is 65 per cent; 95 per cent of VI Grade 2 students reached minimum proficiency as compared to the 78 per cent average of the OECS. 

Students achieved the region's highest scores in Geometrical Thinking (86 per cent) and Operations with Numbers (80 per cent), while tying with Saint Lucia for the highest score in Measurement (78 per cent). The Territory also recorded 71 per cent in Number Sense and 60 per cent in Data Handling and Probability.

Reflection of the commitment to transform the education system 

In announcing the results, the Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports said these results reflect the ministry’s continued commitment to transforming teaching and learning while advancing its vision of providing every student with a world-class education. The results also reinforce this year's theme, ‘Full STEAM Ahead: Future-Focused, Student-Led’, which emphasises the Ministry's focus on equipping students with the foundational skills needed to thrive in an ever-changing world.

“These results are a reflection of the unwavering commitment and professionalism of the many individuals who work tirelessly each day on behalf of our students,” Chief Education Officer Mrs Orlandette R. Crabbe said. 

She also extended “special commendation” to the Education Officers, principals, instructional coaches, specialists, and teachers. 

“This achievement is a testament to their collective belief that every child in the Virgin Islands can learn, excel, and succeed."

Mrs Crabbe added that the assessment findings will also help inform future instructional priorities, particularly in strengthening students’ understanding of Patterns and Relationships in Mathematics and enhancing comprehension of Non-Fiction texts, both of which emerged as regional areas for continued focus.