Saj Christophe Caesar, the son of Minister of Agriculture Saboto Caesar and his wife, Dr. Reisha Twana Browne-Caesar, has topped this year’s Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment (CPEA).
Caesar was one of five students from Sugar Mill Academy, a private school, in the top 10 positions in this year’s examination.
The top 10 positions included a four-way tie for fifth position and a two-way tie for ninth, according to the results announced by the Ministry of Education on Saturday.
The agriculture minister celebrated his son’s success, saying in a Facebook post,
“Today, I celebrate not just my son’s exceptional achievement placing first in the nation in the CPEA, but the resilience of an entire generation. A generation that endured mask-wearing, ashfall, hurricane winds and global uncertainty. Yet through it all, our children continue to stand tall.
“To Saj, your discipline and courage have made this proud father even prouder. You have shown that with faith, focus, family, and great teachers excellence is possible. Thanks to all who made this journey possible. To God be all the glory. Congratulations again to all the CPEA 2025 students.”
Second and third places went to Caesar’s schoolmates, Azeir Kai Lewis and Ezron Nathanael Quashie.
Soy Maval Toney of St. Mary’s RC, a government-assisted primary school, is located fourth.
Three students from a state-owned primary school joined Adrina Niyoca Ledger, of Sugar Mill Academy in the four-way tie for fifth.
They are Korey Micah Lavia, of Lowman’s Leeward Anglican; Mason Rayshaud Williams, of New Grounds Primary; Raffique Taj Latchman, of Sion Hill Government; and, Adrina Niyoca Ledger, of
Only two females featured in the top 10 places: Blossom Petal Mc Calmon, of Kingstown Preparatory, and Rio Jay Marks-Dasent, of Sugar Mill Academy.
Caesar scored an average of 99.20%, and had a perfect score in mathematics and language arts.
The other students who had a perfect score in mathematics were Mason Williams (New Grounds Primary), and Daena Caine (St. Mary’s Roman Catholic).
Raffique Latchman (Sion Hill Government) was the only student with a perfect score in science.
Caesar’s perfect score in language arts was matched by other top-10 performers, Lavia, Williams and Lewis, as well as Miguel Teruel-Marrero (St. Mary’s Roman Catholic), Daena Caine (St. Mary’s Roman Catholic).
In social studies, where were perfect scores by Lavis, Toney, Ronique Charles (Lowman’s Leeward Anglican), Ezron Quashie (Sugar Mill Academy), Adrina Ledger (Sugar Mill Academy), Rohi Browne (Sugar Mill Academy), Rio Marks-Dasent (Sugar Mill Academy), Jacob Hornsey (Sugar Mill Academy), Aden Dells (Sugar Mill Academy), Huwilus Michael (Fitz Hughes Government), and Jalicia Richardson (Questelles Government).
The preliminary results indicate that 1,470 students (87.34%) met the prescribed standard, a slight decrease from last year’s 87.68%.
“This group includes 722 males and 748 females, reflecting continued strong participation and achievement across genders,” the Ministry of Education said.
The CPEA evaluates students through two main components: The External Assessment, comprising multiple-choice tests in mathematics, science, language arts, and social studies; and the School-Based Assessment, which includes a project, writing portfolio, book report, teacher tests, pupil-made tests, and can-do-skills exercises across the same subject areas.
The CPEA is scored out of 500 marks, with the School-Based Assessment accounting for 40% (200 marks) and the External Assessment for 60% (300 marks).
Students must achieve at least 50% of the total possible marks to meet the required standard.
“The final examinations took place on 14 and 15 May 2025, and its completion marked a significant milestone in the academic journey of our young learners. This year, 1,689 students registered for the CPEA, with 1,682 students sitting the final examinations,” the Ministry of Education said.
“The Ministry of Education extends heartfelt congratulations to all students for their hard work and dedication. We also express our sincere gratitude to head teachers, teachers, other school staff, parents, and all stakeholders for their invaluable support throughout this process.”