Prime Minister Andrew Holness has admitted that more needs to be done to improve the performance of students in Mathematics.

According to the Education Ministry, only 38.9% of students secured a passing grade in this year’s sitting of the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Mathematics examination.

Speaking at the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) awards ceremony yesterday, Mr. Holness said he had the chance to view this year’s CSEC Mathematics results, and he was not pleased.

He said the situation is of great concern.

Mr Holness said the constant complaints about low wages cannot be remedied if the situation – which is linked to production does not change.

He believes improving the skillset among the population is one major route towards fixing low wages.

A day before the Prime Minister’s comments, Opposition Spokesman on Education Senator Damion Crawford described the situation as a crisis.

He called for Mathematics to be prioritized noting that if nothing is changed the opportunities for earnings within the country will continue to reduce dramatically.