BCC schools excel in Zimsec Grade 7 examinations

BULAWAYO City Council (BCC) schools achieved impressive results in the 2024 Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) Grade 7 final examinations, recording an overall pass rate of 64,65 percent — well above the national average of 49,01 percent.
Out of 5 663 candidates who sat the exams, 3 661 learners passed.

Malindela Primary School emerged as the top performer, achieving a pass rate of 92,31 percent, up from 79,53 percent in 2023. Following closely behind was Ntshamathe Primary School, which improved its performance to 80,13 percent, up from 75,46 percent last year.

Mgiqika Primary School also made a significant leap, climbing from sixth to third place with an 80 percent pass rate, up from 73,13 percent.

Sigombe Primary School was recognised as the most improved institution, increasing its pass rate from 47,90 percent to 66,67 percent and moving up from 25th to 14th position. In contrast, Aisleby Primary School struggled, recording a pass rate of only 10,26 percent and finishing second from the bottom, while St Peters Primary School saw a decline, dropping to 5 percent from 12,68 percent in 2023.

Overall, 27 schools in Bulawayo achieved pass rates above 50 percent—with Malindela’s performance surpassing 90 percent, while only three schools fell below the 50 percent mark. Additionally, 33 learners earned the highest distinction by scoring six units in all subjects.

BCC expressed pride in the performance of its primary schools, both qualitatively and quantitatively.

Ward 2 Councillor Adrian Moyo commended the schools while highlighting the urgent need for improvements at Aisleby Primary School, which suffers from inadequate infrastructure and high staff turnover.

He proposed solutions, including the construction of new teacher cottages and enhanced transport for staff.

Aisleby Primary School’s Development Committee chairperson, Councillor Ntombizodwa Khumalo, acknowledged the challenges faced by the school but expressed cautious optimism about future improvements.

“The school has encountered numerous difficulties. It is located on a council farm, and the teachers’ cottages are dilapidated, the sewer system is outdated, and the road leading to the school is nearly impassable,” she said.

Clr Khumalo added, “Teachers are forced to alight from public transport up to 3 or 4km away from the school and then walk the remaining distance. Additionally, the school lacks electricity, experiences high staff turnover, and faces challenges with fee collection from parents.”

She said the school is receiving ongoing support from the NGO Thembalezizwe Trust to help improve these conditions.