The Barbados Government pays the cost of education of Barbadian students at primary, secondary and tertiary levels, this includes provision of textbooks. This strong emphasis on education has resulted in a literacy rate estimated at about 98% – one of the highest in the world.
Primary education begins at age 4 and continues until age 11, when students sit the Common Entrance Examination. There are 74 Government primary schools, as well as several privately-run primary schools.
Secondary education is provided for children aged 11 to 18 years. At age 16, students sit the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) examinations – the equivalent of GCE O-Levels. At about age 18, those students who continue at school can sit the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Certificate (A-Level) also set by CXC. Most Government secondary schools (of which there are 23) are co-educational. There are also several private secondary schools.

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