1. Introduction
As the national standard for assessing primary school achievement, the Bahamas Junior Certificate (BJC) assesses the academic and career readiness of Bahamian students, giving insight into the health and efficacy of the nation’s education system. This research report examines a comprehensive analysis of recent BJC examination results, seeking to move beyond surface-level pass rates to identify underlying trends, patterns, and disparities. By examining performance across core subject areas, this report aims to illuminate the key drivers of student outcomes. The ultimate purpose of this analysis is to provide evidence-based insights that can inform educational policy, guide targeted interventions, and foster a more equitable and successful learning environment for all students in The Bahamas.
2. Methodology
The purpose of this report is to identify and analyze the performance of examinees, by subject domain and letter grade, to present the findings in a format more accessible for gathering insights. Data is categorized primarily by subject domain and letter grades. Letter grades are categorized into grade bands, with A-C representing above-average grades and E-G representing below-average grades. Performance evaluation focuses on these grade bands.
3. Background
Examinee performance is measured using a standardized grading scale that ranges from A to G, as specified by the Ministry of Education and the Technical and Vocational Training Examination and Assessment Division. For simplification, grades are categorized into proficiency bands: A–C indicates above-average performance, while E–G signifies below-average performance. Each grade corresponds to a specific level of proficiency, as detailed below:
- Grade A: Demonstrates specific, appropriate, and comprehensive responses, with evidence of exceptional comprehension and outstanding higher-order skills, including problem-solving and critical thinking.
- Grade B: Reflects specific, appropriate, and comprehensive responses, with strong comprehension and very good higher-order skills in problem-solving and critical thinking.
- Grade C: Indicates responses that are specific and appropriate to the task, showing sound comprehension and good problem-solving skills.
- Grade D: Represents responses that are specific and appropriate, with satisfactory comprehension and adequate problem-solving/critical thinking skills.
- Grade E: Shows general basic knowledge, some comprehension of this knowledge, and limited problem-solving ability.
- Grade F: Reflects limited basic knowledge beyond recall and recognition, with minimal comprehension and notably restricted problem-solving skills.
- Grade G: Indicates very limited basic knowledge confined to recall or recognition, with no evidence of comprehension or problem-solving skills.
4. Key Findings
4.1 Overall. The analysis of the BJC 2023 examination dataset reveals distinct patterns of achievement and deficiency across subject domains. Organizing the results by subject area: S.T.E.M., Arts, Humanities, and Professional & Vocational Studies, provides a clearer understanding of where the education system is performing effectively and where targeted interventions are most urgently required.
4.1 | Table 1: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S.T.E.M.)
Subject | % of Above Average Scores (A–C) | % of Average Scores (D) | % of Below Average Scores (E–G) |
General Science | 48.00% | 19.63% | 32.37% |
Health Science | 30.58% | 17.61% | 51.80% |
Mathematics | 51.92% | 13.68% | 34.40% |
Technical Drawing | 79.25% | 9.18% | 11.56% |
4.1 | Table 2: The Arts
Subject | % of Above Average Scores (A–C) | % of Average Scores (D) | % of Below Average Scores (E–G) |
Art | 85.04% | 10.23% | 4.73% |
Craft Study | 85.56% | 10.83% | 3.61% |
4.1 | Table 3: The Humanities
Subject | % of Above Average Scores (A–C) | % of Average Scores (D) | % of Below Average Scores (E–G) |
English Language | 49.86% | 18.67% | 31.48% |
French | 57.14% | 22.26% | 20.60% |
Literature | 71.14% | 20.51% | 8.35% |
Religious Studies | 45.69% | 15.37% | 38.95% |
Social Studies | 56.16% | 19.84% | 24.00% |
Spanish | 62.65% | 14.59% | 22.76% |
4.1 | Table 4: Professional & Vocational Studies
Subject | % of Above Average Scores (A–C) | % of Average Scores (D) | % of Below Average Scores (E–G) |
Family & Consumer | 70.65% | 27.74% | 1.61% |
4.2 Foundational Core Subjects. The data reveals notable trends in the foundational core subjects. (Foundational core subjects are the essential disciplines, such as Mathematics, Sciences, Languages, and Humanities, that provide students with the basic knowledge, skills, and competencies needed for higher learning, workforce readiness, and informed citizenship.)
4.2 | Table 1: Performance in Foundational Core Subjects
Subject | Total Candidates | % of A–C Scores | % of E–G Scores |
Mathematics | 6,681 | 51.92% | 34.40% |
English Language | 7,104 | 49.86% | 31.48% |
Literature | 1,365 | 71.14% | 8.35% |
General Science | 3,275 | 48.00% | 32.37% |
Social Studies | 4,416 | 56.16% | 24.00% |
French | 301 | 57.14% | 20.60% |
Spanish | 1,419 | 62.65% | 22.76% |
I. Mathematics
- A–C grade range: 52.26% (BJC 2022) to 51.92% (BJC 2023)
- E–G grade range: 32.88% (BJC 2022) to 34.40% (BJC 2023)
Mathematics performance has worsened: A–C grades have decreased by 0.34%, and E–G grades have increased by 1.52% from the BJC 2022 to the BJC 2023. Overall, performance has declined.
II. English Language
- A–C grade range: 52.02% (BJC 2022) to 49.86% (BJC 2023)
- E–G grade range: 29.49% (BJC 2022) to 31.48% (BJC 2023)
English Language performance has worsened: A–C grades have decreased by 2.16%, and E–G grades have increased by 1.99% from the BJC 2022 to the BJC 2023. Overall, performance has declined.
III. Literature
- A–C grade range: 64.63% (BJC 2022) to 71.14% (BJC 2023)
- E–G grade range: 12.76% (BJC 2022) to 8.35% (BJC 2023)
Literature performance has improved: A–C grades have increased by 6.51%, and E–G grades have decreased by 4.41% from the BJC 2022 to the BJC 2023. Overall, performance has strengthened.
IV. General Science
- A–C grade range: 46.49% (BJC 2022) to 48.00% (BJC 2023)
- E–G grade range: 34.47% (BJC 2022) to 32.37% (BJC 2023)
General Science performance has improved: A–C grades have increased by 1.51%, and E–G grades have decreased by 2.10% from the BJC 2022 to the BJC 2023. Overall, performance has strengthened.
V. Social Studies
- A–C grade range: 57.84% (BJC 2022) to 56.16% (BJC 2023)
- E–G grade range: 22.77% (BJC 2022) to 24.00% (BJC 2023)
Social Studies performance has worsened: A–C grades have decreased by 1.68%, and E–G grades have increased by 1.23% from the BJC 2022 to the BJC 2023. Overall, performance has declined.
VI. French
- A–C grade range: 57.53% (BJC 2022) to 57.14% (BJC 2023)
- E–G grade range: 26.20% (BJC 2022) to 20.60% (BJC 2023)
French performance has averaged: A–C grades have decreased by 0.39%, and E–G grades have decreased by 5.60% from the BJC 2022 to the BJC 2023. Overall, performance has averaged out.
VII. Spanish
- A–C grade range: 63.85% (BJC 2022) to 62.65% (BJC 2023)
- E–G grade range: 19.23% (BJC 2022) to 22.76% (BJC 2023)
Spanish performance has worsened: A–C grades have decreased by 1.20%, and E–G grades have increased by 3.53% from the BJC 2022 to the BJC 2023. Overall, performance has declined.
4.3 Disparate Performance Across Subject Domains. A comparative analysis shows significant differences in student success rates, categorizing subjects into high-performing and low-performing classifications. High-performing subjects have a concentration of A–C grades scored within the 70% or greater range; in contrast, low-performing subjects have a concentration of over 30% of examinees scoring in the E–G range.
4.3 | Table 1: High-Performing Subjects
High-Performing Subjects | Total Candidates | % of A–C Scores | % of E–G Scores |
Art | 528 | 85.04% | 4.73% |
Craft Study | 637 | 85.56% | 3.61% |
Family & Consumer | 620 | 70.65% | 1.61% |
Literature | 1,365 | 71.14% | 8.35% |
Technical Drawing | 294 | 79.25% | 11.56% |
4.3 | Table 2: Low-Performing Subjects
Low-Performing Subjects | Total Candidates | % of A–C Scores | % of E–G Scores |
English Language | 7,104 | 49.86% | 31.48% |
General Science | 3,275 | 48.00% | 32.37% |
Health Science | 6,052 | 30.58% | 51.80% |
Mathematics | 6,681 | 51.92% | 34.40% |
Religious Studies | 4,601 | 45.69% | 38.95% |
5. Analysis
The analysis of the BJC 2023 examination results reveals a year of unsettling regression in key areas, the emergence of a new crisis subject, and the continued, stark divergence between the performance in applied and academic disciplines. The most alarming finding is the catastrophic collapse of Health Science, which has deteriorated into the single weakest subject in the dataset. A staggering 51.80% of candidates scored in the below-average (E-G) band, indicating that a majority of students lack basic proficiency, while only 30.58% achieved above-average grades. This represents a severe and rapid decline from prior years, signaling a new and urgent priority for intervention.
This new crisis is set against a broad pattern of stagnation or slight decline in other core subjects. Mathematics, English Language, and Social Studies all experienced minor regression, halting or reversing the positive momentum from 2022. This suggests a system-wide headwind affecting multiple foundational areas. In contrast, Literature emerged as a standout success, joining the ranks of high-performing subjects with over 71% of students achieving A-C grades, demonstrating that excellence in core humanities is achievable.
The data powerfully reaffirms the enduring and structural strength of creative, applied, and vocational subjects. Art, Craft Study, Technical Drawing, and Family & Consumer studies maintained their characteristic excellence, with A-C rates at 70% or higher. This persistent pattern underscores a fundamental disparity: the system is consistently effective in pedagogical models that emphasize practical skill, project-based learning, and performance, but it remains volatile and often ineffective in delivering stable outcomes in traditional academic core subjects, particularly in the Sciences.
6. Conclusion
In conclusion, the 2023 BJC results present a system at a critical juncture, marked by both the deepening of known weaknesses and the dramatic emergence of a new area of failure. The disastrous performance in Health Science, coupled with the stagnation in other core subjects, indicates that systemic challenges are persistent and can intensify rapidly. These results demand a renewed and more rigorous focus on STEM education and literacy.
However, the sustained, exemplary performance in the Arts, vocational studies, and now Literature provides a clear counter-narrative of what is possible within the Bahamian education system. This consistent disparity is not an indictment of student potential but of variable instructional efficacy across the curriculum. Therefore, the central policy imperative must be to diagnose and urgently address the specific causes of the collapse in Health Science, while systematically studying and adapting the pedagogical and engagement strategies that yield such reliable, high-level success in other domains. The goal is to apply these proven methods to strengthen the entire academic core, ensuring all students master the essential knowledge and skills required for their future.
7. Citations
- Department of Statistics. Labour Market Information Newsletter, Volume 36, No. 47. Ministry of Finance, The Bahamas, June 2023.
- Ministry of Education & Technical & Vocational Training Examination and Assessment Division. National Examinations Report BJC & BGCSE 2025. August 2025.