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Columbus Mabika, Harare Bureau
The 2019 Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) Grade Seven results are out with indications of a decline in the national pass rate to 46,9 percent from 52,08 percent in 2018.
In a statement Zimsec board chairman Professor Eddie Mwenje said candidates who sat the examination will be able to collect their results from their respective schools from Monday, November 25.
“The total number of candidates who sat the 2019 Grade Seven examination was 323 207. This is 1,06 percent decrease from October 2018 which was 326 685.
“Although the national pass rate decreased by 5,18 percentage points, a pass rate of more than 50 percent was recorded in all subjects.
Prof Mwenje said indigenous languages recorded the highest subject pass rates with Sesotho being assessed for the first time recording a 68,48 percent.
“Indigenous languages recorded the highest subject pass rates. Shona and Ndebele recorded pass rates above 80 percent, Kalanga, Xichangana and Tshivenda recorded pass rates above 70 percent, while Tonga and Nambiya recorded pass rates of over 60 percent. Sesotho was assessed for the first time this session and it recorded a pass rate of 68,48 percent,” he said.
Prof Mwenje said the results showed an improvement in learning in Zimbabwean primary schools over the years.
“The candidature increased by 6,85 percent from 306 490 in 2014 to 327 942 in 2018. The national pass rate leapt by 14 percent to 52,08 percent over the same period.
“This suggests that there is a marked improvement in the quality of education in Zimbabwean primary schools over the years,” he said.
He said this year, female candidates were registered more than their male counterparts and they continued to enjoy a higher pass rate than their male counterparts since 2015.
Prof Mwenje also said there was a decrease in the pass rate of learners with special needs although the performance of candidates for Braille and Large Print and Hard of Hearing and Physical Impairments was comparable to the national pass rate.
Online Reporter