An analysis of Table 3 indicates that there were more males than females in the Public Schools for New Entrants. The opposite, more females than males, existed in the Private Schools for 1990 – 1991, 1991 – 1992, 1993 – 1994 and 1994 – 1995. For 1997 – 1998 there were more males than females in the Private Schools. Further analysis shows that there was a constant decline, with the most drastic one in 1997 – 1998, in the enrolment in the Private Schools.

Even though the enrolment in the Public Schools declined it was not constant. For instance, it increased in 1991 – 1992 over 1990 – 1991, decreased the next year, increased the following year and increased in 1997 – 1998. However, the successive increases in the final two years did not take the enrolment beyond that of 1990 – 1991.

An examination of the New Entrants of Primary School Entrance Age reveals that there were more males than females in the Public Schools. A similar finding (more males than females) existed for three of the five years under examination (1990 – 1991, 1993 – 1994, and 1997 – 1998). Additionally, the School Entrance Age population showed a steady increase for the first four (4) years and a difference of 56 between the 1994 – 1995 and the 1997 – 1998 totals.

The Apparent Intake Rate (AIR) for the period 1997 – 1998 was below 95%. The AIR for each of the other years was generally high. These indicated that there was a high degree of access to Primary Education in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.

The Net Intake Rate (NIR) for 1997 – 1998 was approximately 89 to 91 %. The NIR for each of the other years was high. This indicats that there was a high access to Primary Education for the official primary school–entrance age children. Additionally, it shows that a high proportion of pupils of the same age were in the first primary grade. Such a position may favour the pedagogical situation. It was not a surprise that the NIR for the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis was high since Universal Primary Education was achieved many years ago.

Finally, the Gender Parity Index was 1.0 for the AIR and NIR. This shows that both males and females of School Entrance Age had equal opportunity of entering school.