O’Level results out, pass rate up

The November 2013 Zimbabwe School Examinations Council Ordinary Level results are out, and were yesterday dispatched to regional offices for collection.

Primary and Secondary Education Minister Lazarus Dokora yesterday commended Zimsec for releasing results within the scheduled timeframe.

“I would like to also advise that Zimsec has embarked on e-marking and now has nine components that are e-marked and this has improved the standardisation of assessment instruments,” he added.

Zimsec director Esau Nhandara said those who sat for the examinations should collect their results from their centres starting today.

“On behalf of the Zimsec board and management, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who took part in the marking of these examinations as well as the Zimsec staff for their commitment and dedication to duty,” he said.

Minister Dokora said there were 285,260 ‘O’ Level candidates compared to 268,854 in 2012.

“The overall pass rate for November 2013 is 20,72 percent. This figure accounts for more than five credits. The percentage pass rate excludes the June 2013 examination results,” he said.

In 2012, the overall pass rate was 18,4 percent.

“As can be observed, the pass rate increased by 2,32 percentage points in 2013,” Minister Dokora said.

Nhandara said in November 2013, those who sat for five subjects or more numbered 173,856. Of these, those who scored a C or better in five subjects were just 36,031.

In 2012, 172,698 candidates sat for five subjects or more with a mere 31,767 of them obtaining a Grade C or better. Nhandara said of the 173,856 candidates with five or more registered subjects last year, 86,906 were female and 86,945 were male.

Of the female candidates, 16,084 passed five subjects while 23,837 males also passed. The top 10 performing schools are Monte Casino High School, Anderson Secondary School, John Tallach, Nyanga High, St Ignatius, ZRP High School, Nyazura Adventist High, Regina Mundi Secondary, St Dominics (Chishawasha) and Kriste Mambo.

Meanwhile, Minister Dokora said in line with President Mugabe’s vision, the ministry was working to ensure all citizens’ accessed basic, quality education.

“The ministry is also working to ensure that all who desire to write examinations do so without hindrance. The ministry has planned to strengthen its research capacity,” he said.

“All issues that impact on the education of our learners should be addressed with the aid of research evidence.” The Herald