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Government Takes Further Steps To Ease The Cost Of Living For Residents Here

The government of Montserrat has further lived up to its promise to ease the cost of living pressures on residents here. On August 14th the Cabinet issued the Customs (Control and Management) (Amendment of schedule) Order. This means that for the three-year period, September 1, 2025 through March 31, 2028 only 50% of transport costs and 50% of loading and handling charges will be added to the purchase price of goods imported. In July this year the Government of Montserrat had announced a 50% reduction in freight tariffs across the board in a move to reduce the cost of living for residents. Premier, and minister for finance and economic management, the Honourable Reuben T Meade had confirmed the reduction on a “What’s on Your Mind” radio Programme. Premier Meade said then that the island’s cost of living is largely shaped by international factors, and as such, he urged residents to reconsider their consumption habits and utilize more local products.

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Montserrat Secondary School Reports Improved CSEC Results

The Montserrat Secondary School (MSS) has recorded a notable improvement in its overall performance in the May/June 2025 CSEC Examinations. Preliminary results show that of the 406 subject entries written by 57 students, 318 were awarded passes in Grades I to III, producing a pass rate of 78.3 percent. This marks a significant increase from the 69.7 percent achieved in 2024. Students excelled in several subject areas. Of the 23 subject proficiencies taken, nine recorded a perfect 100 percent pass rate. These included Agricultural Science, Caribbean History, Technical Drawing, Principles of Accounts, Office Administration, Principles of Business, Food Nutrition and Health, Physical Education and Sport, and Industrial Technology (Building). Biology and Information Technology also performed strongly, with pass rates ranging between 90 and 93 percent. Physics recorded an 88.2 percent pass rate, while Integrated Science followed with 83.3 percent. One of the most encouraging improvements came in English A, where students attained a pass rate of 80.7 percent, a significant rise from the 63.8 percent recorded in 2024. Mathematics, however, continued to be a challenge for students, with the pass rate falling to 41 percent compared to 52.7 percent in the previous year. The Business subjects, Physical Education and Sport, Agriculture, Food Nutrition and Health, and other technical areas once again stood out with consistently strong results. The final analysis of student performance will be conducted when the official results are released later this year. Passes in eight subject areas were obtained by students: Shekinah Persaud – 7 Grade 1s 1 Grade 2 Shemariah Irish – 6 Grade 1s 2 Grade 2s Arrisa Dyett-White – 6 Grade 1s 2 Grade 2s Kaylee Greenaway – 6 Grade 1s 2 Grade 2s Muskaan Jeswani 5 Grade 1s 3 Grade 2s Demi White 4 Grade 2s 4 Grade 2s Alana Kassie 4 Grade 1s 2 Grade 2s 2 Grade 3s Juanique Roach 5 Grade 1s 2 Grade 2s 1 Grade 3 Neron Wilson 1 Grade 1 1 Grade 2 6 Grade 3s Xhanna – Lee Abdul Aiyanna Destouche Alyssa Duberry Jasmine Gilford Gessella Louis-Charles Maha Ryner-Graham Natasha Weekes Jeveena Williams, all obtained passes in seven subject areas Fourteen students recorded passes in 6 subject areas, while 11 students recorded passes in 5 subject areas. Forty-two of the fifty-seven students (73.7%) who wrote the exams obtained passes in 5 or more subject areas. Seven Form 4 students wrote a total of 8 subject entries in the areas of Information Technology, Technical Drawing, Spanish and Food Nutrition and Health. A pass rate of 100% was obtained with 62.5% at the Grade 1 level. At CCSLC Level, twenty-three (23) students from the Form Five cohort wrote thirty (36) subject entries. Competent and Master levels were achieved for 26 of them yielding a pass rate of 70.2%. The better performing subject areas were Integrated Science and Social Studies which returned pass rates of 100%. Math returned a pass rate of 75% while for English it was 50%. A key indicator for education is the percentage of students in the year five cohort who obtain 5 or more CSEC passes including English and Math. This year 35.8% the year five cohort obtained 5 or more CSEC passes including Math and English. This performance is comparable to the 36.1% obtained in 2024. The school extends congratulations to the students who were successful, to their parents for their support and to the teachers for their hard work and dedication. The school also extends sincerest gratitude to the members of the community who assisted by tutoring our students in the absence of their substantive teachers.

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Montserrat Community College Students Excel In CAPE Exams

The Montserrat Community College (MCC) has reported an Overall Pass Rate of 100% in the 2025 Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE). Twenty-four students wrote the CAPE Examinations in thirteen subject areas. These were: Biology Unit 1, Caribbean Studies, Chemistry Unit 1 and Unit 2, Communication Studies, Computer Science Unit 2, Entrepreneurship Unit 1, Geography Unit 1, Information Technology Unit 1 and Unit 2, Management of Business Unit 1, Physics Unit 1, and Tourism Unit 1. In total, there were sixty-two exam sittings and sixty-two passes. According to a press release from the college, this is the second time in three years that MCC has achieved a perfect pass rate — the last being in 2023. This consistent level of excellence underscores the dedication of the students, the commitment of their faculty, and the supportive environment fostered at the College.

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Montserrat Joins Regional Dialogue on Climate Resilience, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Development in St Lucia

Montserrat was among islands represented at the Caribbean Regional Dialogue, held in St. Lucia last week. Environment Officer at the Department of Environment, Ajhermae White, attended the August 21st to the 22nd meeting, which was hosted by the OECS Commission in collaboration with the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF) of Japan. The two-day conference, under the theme “Advancing Resilient Prosperity”, brought together regional leaders and experts to explore opportunities in tourism, agriculture, the Blue Economy, climate and disaster risk reduction, economic development, and trade. The dialogue sought to identify shared and country-specific priorities, strengthen regional cooperation, and build lasting networks across multiple sectors. Participants engaged in panel discussions and round tables designed to inform the Global Synergy Project. Key discussions centered on the sustainable development of the Blue Economy. Panelists underscored the importance of implementing robust safeguards to protect marine environments from external threats such as climate change and the growing influx of sargassum. They noted that safeguarding marine ecosystems is not only more effective but also far less costly than attempting to restore them after damage has occurred. On climate resilience, participants emphasized the need for regional financing mechanisms to support adaptation strategies. They also highlighted the critical role of nature-based solutions such as restoring mangroves and coral reefs which provide protection against climate impacts while also benefiting tourism, biodiversity conservation, and fisheries.

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