The figure is based on the prerequisite requirement of a C grade at IGCSE level and a grade three at HIGCSE level.

Last year, 2 675 pupils qualified.

Part-time candidates were excluded because they build up subject credits over a couple of years and usually meet university admission requirements only after a series of examinations.

The Ministry of Basic Education said yesterday that 89,4 per cent of the 26 571 students who wrote the exams at 110 examination centres countrywide were graded compared to the 88,6 per cent graded in 2004.

Thus the results, to be made public today, were slightly better than last year.

"With the 2005 IGCSE results the annual increase in the percentage of graded entries in the lower to average grades has been maintained for the fourth year in succession," said the Ministry.

The gradual increase over the past four years has also resulted in the best performance in the grade range C to G and in the highest percentage of graded entries obtained so far.

The Directorate of National Examinations and Assessment said that despite an increase in the percentage of graded entries and better performance in lower to average grades, candidates were still under-performing in the average and higher grades.

"For example, only 35,8 per cent of the entries obtained a D and better grades whilst a cumulative percentage of around 50 per cent would have been more satisfactory," the DNEA said.

The results of part-time candidates, which comprise 24,2 per cent of the total number of entries, showed a slight increase of 2,3 per cent, with 79,8 per cent graded compared to 77,5 per cent in 2004.

The majority of part-time candidates were registered with the Namibian College of Open Learning (Namcol).

The Directorate of National Examinations and Assessment said the results of five candidates suspected of involvement in irregularities had been withheld pending investigation and a final decision.

The Ministry said 37 of the 42 IGCSE subjects were marked in Namibia, as part of the localisation of the Cambridge system.

The answer sheets of the remaining five international syllabuses were marked in Cambridge.

The results were sent to the regional offices and schools.

Schools will provide the pupils with their results slips today, while the regional offices will display the results in broadsheet format at their offices.

From 08h00 today the results will also be available on the directorate's website (www.dnea.gov.na).

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