ZIMSEC Dismayed Over A’ Level Science Subjects Low Pass Rate

The Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council (ZIMSEC) on Tuesday sounded the alarm over the failure rate of science subjects as it announced the release of the November 2019 Advanced Level results.

The examinations body said the results would be available for collection at schools starting on Wednesday, January 14.

ZIMSEC chairman Professor Eddie Mwenje said there had been a marginal increase in the pass rate overall from 81,9 percent in 2018, to 83,1 percent last year.

But Mwenje said they were very concerned by the low pass rate for learners who took on science subjects.

Of the 17,749 candidates who registered to write Chemistry, Physics, Biology and Mathematics, only 5,610 passed two or more subjects with Grade E or better, representing a 31,6 percent pass rate.

“The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education needs to closely look into this area,” Mwenje said. “There could be a number of factors which need further interrogation that could be contributing to this poor performance.

We need to closely look at each subject because these are the second results from the recently introduced competency-based curriculum.

“The other contributing factor could be that science subjects require a lot of input and equipment which most schools do not possess.”

ZIMSEC said 51,862 sat the November 2019 A’ Level examinations, of which 50,774 sat two or more subjects. Some 42,169 candidates were graded E or better in at least two subjects.

In 2018, a total of 46,478 candidates sat the November A’ Level exams.