61 percent pass rate at Bulawayo City Council schools

BULAWAYO City Council (BCC)-run primary schools attained a 61 percent pass rate in the 2023 Grade Seven examinations with Mthimkhulu Primary School outperforming all the 29 at 79 percent pass rate.

Manondwane Primary School in Nketa suburb was the most improved at 59 percent from 23 percent pass rate the previous year, moving from the bottom three of council schools.

The council observed that Queen Elizabeth II Primary in Nkulumane, which previously performed well, faltered heavily last year from 62 percent to 50 percent.

The council’s peri-urban schools Aisleby Primary School and St. Peters Primary have continued to perform dismally among the council schools recording three percent and 12 percent respectively.

In the latest council minutes, the Director of Housing and Community Services Mr Dictor Khumalo provides an analysis of 2023 Grade Seven results showing that 5 386 learners sat for Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) exams with 3 278 learners obtaining a pass mark of five units or better in six subjects.

“The 2023 pass rate was 60, 86 percent based on six subjects passed as per the city of Bulawayo standards. It was also noted that in 2023, council schools generally performed very well both qualitatively and quantitatively,” reads the report.

“Quantitatively, 23 schools had a pass rate above 50 percent compared to 18 in 2022, and only six performed below 50 percent.”

The council said nine schools were classified as having performed well as they obtained above 70 percent while six others were considered to be above average, obtaining a 60 percent to 69 percent pass rate.

The local authority said eight schools were classified as average performers after they obtained 50 percent to 59 percent pass rate while four schools performed below average after obtaining 40 percent to 49 percent.

Two schools were classified as weak after they obtained a 10 to 20 percent pass rate.

“The top three council schools in the 2023 Grade 7 examinations were (1) JW Mthimkhulu 79,85 percent while its 2022 pass rate was 63,49 obtaining a +16,36 variance. (2) Malindela 79,53 from 86,16 percent in 2022 resulting in a -6,63 variance. (3) Mawaba obtained 77,30 percent pass rate in 2023 from 70,11 percent in 2022 marking a + 7,19 variance,” read the council minutes.

“The three schools were at the top of the charts in 2022 and only exchanged positions in 2023. JW Mthimkhulu, which was in third place in 2022 rose to the top from 63,49 percent to 79,85 percent gaining by 16,36 percent.”

Council said Malindela, which was in first position in 2022 fell by 6,63 percent from 86,16 percent to 79,53 percent and settled for second position in 2023.

Mawaba, which was in second place in 2022 dropped to third place in 2023 despite gaining by 7,19 percent from 70,11 percent to 77,30 percent.

“Manondwane was the most improved school from 22,75 to 59,18 percent, gaining by 36,43 percent to rise from position three from the bottom in 2022 to position 17 in 2023. The school had been struggling in the previous performances,” said council.

“Queen Elizabeth II, which was performing well previously, fell heavily in 2023 from 61,81 to 49,71 percent, dropping by 12,10 percent. Aisleby maintained the bottom place and had a 3,45 percent pass rate in 2023, which was the same as in 2022.

“At second place from the bottom was St. Peters though gaining by 4,35 percent from 8,33 percent to 12,68 percent,” reads the report.

In the report, the council said it will be interrogating its strategies to ensure that schools continue to improve their pass rate. The council said it would work to improve access to reading materials so that no pupil is left behind.

“There was a need for effective preparation that would include alternative learning strategies fully supported with the necessary infrastructure and equipment (e.g. e-learning platforms), leadership training, strengthening supervision, and adequate textbooks so that no learner would be left behind,” reads the report.

With regards to non-payment of fees, the council reiterated that no school should withhold Grade Seven results slips over non-payment of fees.

It is said schools should write affidavits signed by councillors or the mayor compelling parents to pay school fees.

“Withholding results was against Government policy. Schools should only deal with the parent/guardian. No children should be punished for non-payment or outstanding fees,” reads the report.

Meanwhile, the council noted that the Government had reviewed school fees upwards from US$30 to US$50 and communication had been made to council schools to also align their schools with central Government charges.