Jamaican students record 81% English and 66% Maths pass rates in City & Guilds Stage 3 exams

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaican students recorded strong performances in the June 2026 City & Guilds examinations, with 81 per cent of candidates achieving certification in Stage 3 English Skills and 66 per cent earning certification in Stage 3 Mathematics Skills. Across all three stages of Math and English Skills assessments, 65 per cent of students achieved certification, highlighting the continued value of the internationally recognised pathway for employment, further education and skills training. Marva Duncanson, City & Guilds Caribbean representative, said the results demonstrate the impact of structured preparation and a competency-based approach to learning. “We believe performance has been strengthened by study guides for students and workshops for teachers. Our staged approach enables learners to earn recognised certification as their competence develops,” she said. The success of the staged model has also encouraged other accreditation bodies to explore similar approaches to assessment and certification. City & Guilds registered approximately 30,000 students for the Math and English Skills examinations from Grade 11 and Sixth Form Pathway Programme candidates. The national results include participating schools, most of which are operated by the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth & Information (MoESYI). Math Skills #3850 recorded an overall certification rate of 58 per cent, representing a two percentage-point improvement over the previous year among ministry high schools. At Stage 3, which most closely aligns with Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) standards, 66 per cent of candidates achieved certification. English Skills #3850 recorded an overall certification rate of 75 per cent, increasing to 81 per cent at Stage 3. The assessments focus on practical application, including consumer numeracy or “math for life”, as well as essential communication skills. Unlike a single final examination, the City & Guilds staged model allows students to earn recognised qualifications at each of three levels, enabling progression as their skills improve. Stage 3 provides the closest alignment with regional CSEC standards, while certification supports pathways into employment, higher education and further training. Between 2019 and 2026, City & Guilds issued 172,830 Math and English Skills certificates to students from ministry schools. Successful candidates will also receive digital badges, where email information was provided, allowing them to share verified records of achievement with employers and education or training institutions. The June 2026 Customer Service #8992 examination, covering levels one and two, recorded 2,237 certified students, representing a 50 per cent pass rate. Since 2023, a total of 12,570 Jamaican students have earned this employability-focused qualification. Meanwhile, Skills Proficiency Awards #3529 across 12 occupational pathways recorded 3,132 students with successfully assessed portfolios, representing a 72 per cent certification rate among the 4,380 candidates with completed outcomes. Information Technology for Office Applications was the largest pathway by volume, followed by Food Preparation. Through its partnership with MoESYI, City & Guilds has certified more than 20,000 high-school students between 2019 and 2026 across 12 pathways, including information technology, hospitality, construction, and automotive trades.