The Virgin Islands has emerged as the top-performing education system among eight participating Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) member states after Grade 2 students achieved the highest scores in both Reading and Mathematics in the 2026 OECS Programme for Educational Advancement and Relevant Learning (PEARL) Regional Assessment.
Preliminary results from the assessment show that students from all public primary schools and five private primary schools in the Territory outperformed their regional counterparts in both the OECS Early Reading Assessment (OERA) and the OECS Early Mathematics Assessment (OEMA).
The annual assessments evaluate foundational literacy and numeracy skills among Grade 2 students and provide education systems with data to guide curriculum development, improve teaching practices, and support evidence-based decision-making. More than 7,400 students from Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and the Virgin Islands participated in this year’s assessment.
The Virgin Islands recorded an overall Reading score of 86 per cent, exceeding the OECS regional average of 73 per cent by 13 percentage points. Students also led the region across all three reading genres, scoring 88 per cent in Visual Text, 89 per cent in Fiction, and 67 per cent in Non-Fiction. Although Non-Fiction proved to be the most challenging area across the region, Virgin Islands students still outperformed the regional average by 11 percentage points.
In Mathematics, the Territory also secured first place with an overall average score of 70 per cent, compared with the OECS average of 65 per cent.
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 top score in Measurement at 78 per cent. Additional results included 71 per cent in Number Sense, 60 per cent in Data Handling and Probability, and 55 per cent in Patterns and Relationships—an area identified for continued improvement despite remaining above the regional average of 52 per cent.
The Territory also posted the highest student proficiency rates among participating member states. In Reading, 97 per cent of students achieved minimum proficiency compared with the regional average of 78 per cent, while 95 per cent met the benchmark in Mathematics, surpassing the OECS average of 86 per cent.
Chief Education Officer Orlandette Crabbe hailed the results as a significant milestone for the Territory, crediting the success to the dedication of educators and education professionals across the Virgin Islands.
She commended Education Officers for their leadership in curriculum development, assessment, instructional support and professional learning, while praising school principals for fostering positive learning environments and providing strong instructional leadership.
Crabbe also recognized instructional coaches, specialists and teachers for their daily commitment to student success.
“Their work often extends far beyond the classroom, and this achievement is a testament to their collective belief that every child in the Virgin Islands can learn, excel, and succeed,” she said.
Special recognition was also given to Examinations Officer Tyrah Hodge and her team for coordinating the Territory’s participation in the regional assessment.
According to Crabbe, the successful administration of the assessment required extensive planning, rigorous quality assurance and close collaboration with schools and regional partners. She said the team’s professionalism and commitment to maintaining high standards in assessment administration and data integrity contributed significantly to the Territory’s exceptional performance.
While celebrating the achievement, Crabbe noted that the assessment findings will also help shape future instructional priorities, particularly in strengthening students’ understanding of Patterns and Relationships in Mathematics and improving comprehension of Non-Fiction texts.
The Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports said the results underscore its ongoing commitment to improving teaching and learning while advancing its vision of providing every student with a world-class education. The achievement also aligns with the Ministry’s 2026 theme, “Full STEAM Ahead: Future-Focused, Student-Led,” which emphasizes preparing students with the foundational skills needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving world.