Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve, Sunday News Reporter
BULAWAYO Province has recorded significant improvements in both Advanced Level and Ordinary Level examination pass rates over the past five years, according to recently released statistics by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.
The statistics reveal a steady upward trend in academic performance, particularly at A-level, while O-level results have also shown recovery after a temporary dip.
Provincial Education Director (PED) Mr Benard Mazambane said in an interview the A-level pass rate in the province has seen a consistent growth since 2020, climbing from 80 percent to an impressive 92,60 percent in 2024. This represents a 12,6 percent growth over the five-year period.
The most notable jumps occurred between 2020 and 2021, when the pass rate rose by 4,4 percent, and between 2022 and 2023, when it increased by 4,41 percent. In 2024, the province achieved a pass rate of 92,60, reflecting the dedication of pupils, teachers, and education stakeholders.
“Overall performance for A-level for the year 2024 was 92,60 percent. In 2023 overall performance was 91,04 percent with the 2024 analysis showing an increase of 1,56 percent.
“The increased pass rate can be attributed to improved instructional strategies, provision of regular training and workshops for teachers to enhance their subject matter expertise and pedagogical skills, student support strategies, assessments and evaluation strategies as well as community and parental involvement.
“The Government has also been implementing infrastructural and resource development strategies. These have been used to create a supportive learning environment that fosters academic excellence and improves the A-level pass rate,” said Mr Mazambane.
Turning to O-level, in 2020, the pass rate stood at 30,1 percent, but it dipped to 28,07 percent in 2022, likely due to disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic or changes in examination standards.
However, the province bounced back strongly in 2023, with the pass rate rising to 31,97 percent, and further improving to 35,57 percent in 2024. This marks a total increase of 5,47 percent since 2020.
The recovery in O-level results highlights the effectiveness of targeted interventions, such as extra lessons, teacher training and support for under-performing students.
Director for Communication and Advocacy in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education Mr Taungana Ndoro said the ministry’s efforts towards improving the general pass rate nationally have already begun to yield positive results, with steady improvements in pass rates observed in provinces such as Bulawayo.
Mr Ndoro attributed this success to several factors, including enhanced teacher training, improved teaching resources, and a focus on student-centred learning approaches.
“The ministry is committed to sustaining this momentum by continuing to provide professional development opportunities for teachers and ensuring that schools have the necessary resources to support effective learning,” he said.
As Bulawayo Province celebrates these achievements, education officials are optimistic about the future.
“With the A-level pass rates nearing the 95 percent mark and O-level results on a steady upward trajectory, Bulawayo Province is setting a benchmark for academic excellence in the region and we are pushing to maintain the momentum. It’s the positive development that we are excited about,” said Mr Mazambane.
The province’s journey over the past five years serves as an inspiration and a reminder of the need for collective effort in transforming education. @nyeve14
Sidumisile Mabena