2.2 Output

The total output of new primary teachers is made up largely of those graduating from the Colleges. Small numbers have graduated from the Caribbean Union College (less than 10 a year) and there are a small number of external candidates made up largely of those referred from previous year. Pass rates in the College system indicate that 20%-25% of trainees fail to complete successfully at the first attempt.

Table 11: Number of Passes at the First Attempt in Training Colleges 1993-96

Annual output was about 176 in 1993 and rose to about 300 in 1996 because of the reopening of Corinth. In 1998 the number passing the final examination was about 350. Though not all trainees pass the final examination, most of those who fail are referred and failure is generally a result of non-attendance, rather than poor performance. If this is a result of poor performance on course work they have the opportunity to attend College to retrieve subjects that they have failed. If they fail the final examination they have two years to re-sit as external candidates. As a result most of those referred manage to retrieve their position and become qualified subsequently.

The pattern of examination results indicates that practical teaching is the most difficult of the core subjects to pass (Tables 12 and 13). Some electives have very small enrolments and should probably only be offered in one of the two Colleges. Pass rates for options fluctuate from year to year over a wide range.

Table 12: Teacher’s Colleges Final Examination Results 1998 - Core Subjects

Table 13: Teacher’s College Final Examination Results 1998 - Electives