Over 279,000 Grade seven students selected to Grade 8

OVER 279,000 out of the 312,000 pupils who sat for Grade Seven examinations have been selected to Grade Eight, representing an 89 percent pass rate.
Minister of Education John Phiri announced at a press briefing in Lusaka yesterday that there is an improvement in the passing rate compared to the same period last year.
Dr Phiri said Luapula Province recorded a 100 percent progression rate closely followed by Western Province, which recorded 99.3 percent progression rate.
“All the girls who sat for the Grade Seven composite examinations in Western and Eastern provinces were selected to Grade Eight, while Luapula Province was the only one with a 100 percent progression rate for both boys and girls,” he said.
The minister said Government is committed to providing adequate and appropriate infrastructure for learners to complete school without hindrances.
Dr Phiri said Government is working with stakeholders to review the curriculum and equip pupils with life skills.
He expressed confidence that the new curriculum, which will be launched soon, will improve performance and make learning more interesting.
Dr Phiri said Lusaka Province recorded the highest number of candidates who entered for the examination at 17.3 per cent and the lowest was Muchinga province at 5.5 percent.
He said all provinces had less proportion of girls enrolling for examinations except for Lusaka and the Copperbelt.
“Comparison of performance according to age revealed that learners aged between 11 and 14 years performed better than those above the age of 14 years,” Dr Phiri said.
He said results and acceptance letters can be obtained from schools next week to allow pupils begin their school term on time.