Over half of Grade 10s fail

MORE than 16 000 full-time Grade 10 pupils are expected to swell the number of the unemployed in Namibia today when the Ministry of Education releases their results.

The Directorate of National Examinations and Assessment announced yesterday that only 13 143 of the 30 059 pupils from 488 schools who wrote this year’s Junior Secondary Certificate exams managed to score the required 23 points or more and a minimum of a F grade in English to proceed to Grade 11. That is 739 students more than in 2004, with about 2 000 part-time candidates expected to join them.16 143 PUPILS DIDN’T MAKE IT However, 16 143 failed and their only option now is part-time classes with the Namibian College of Open Learning (Namcol) and vocational training centres.In the Ministry of Education’s view, cumulative percentage data supports the view that the performance of full-time candidates this year is better than in 2004, as a record 92,6 per cent were graded against the 91,5 per cent last year.Pupils can receive a grade of up to G and be rated.It is the highest percentage of graded pupils obtained since the introduction of the Cambridge Education System in Namibian schools.”Further to be noted, in spite of the increase in the percentage of graded entries and the increase in candidates obtaining better grades, is that the candidates are still underperforming in the average to above-average grades,” the Directorate said.Candidates should ideally obtain at least 27 points which, on average, would be a grade between C and D.However, with the introduction of the examination in 1993 it was not possible to implement the requirement of 27 points and 19 points was accepted for the first results.In 1993, only 37,3 per cent of students obtained 22 points.Since then the quality of work of candidates had improved, which has allowed the Ministry to steadily raise the number of points required.’HIGHER MEAN MARKS’ Candidates obtained higher mean marks, higher percentages of candidates obtained better grades and fewer were ungraded compared to last year in English First Language, History, Geography, Accounting, Agriculture, Business Management, Computer Practice, Home Economics, Needlework and Clothing, Typing, Woodwork, Electricity, Visual Art and Otjiherero First Language.Candidates’ performance was significantly poorer in Life Science, Physical Science, Afrikaans First Language, Portuguese First Language, Silozi First Language, Bricklaying and Plastering, Motor Mechanics, Technical Drawing, Keyboard and Wood Processing and Thimbukushu First Language.In English Second Language, Additional Mathematics, Afrikaans Second Language, German First Language, Fitting and Turning, French Foreign Language, German Foreign Language, Metalwork and Welding and Integrated Performing Arts, the performances were similar to last year’s.The Ministry said it was concerned about the relatively high percentage of ungraded candidates in Mathematics (20,2 per cent), Electricity (15,7 per cent), Typing, Motor Mechanics (38,3 per cent), Fitting and Turning (33,3 per cent), Technical Drawing (17,1 per cent) and Keyboard and Word Processing (21,9 per cent).A very small number of irregularities were detected this year and the results of the candidates suspected of being involved in these are being withheld until investigations have been completed.Results for all other candidates will be released in all regions today at schools where the exams were written.Regional Ministry of Education Offices will also receive a number of printouts, which will indicate the subject grades awarded and points scored per candidate, per school.The results of visually impaired (13 candidates) and hearing-impaired (three) candidates will also be released tomorrow.The results will also be available on the directorate’s website (www.dnea.gov.na).That is 739 students more than in 2004, with about 2 000 part-time candidates expected to join them.16 143 PUPILS DIDN’T MAKE IT However, 16 143 failed and their only option now is part-time classes with the Namibian College of Open Learning (Namcol) and vocational training centres.In the Ministry of Education’s view, cumulative percentage data supports the view that the performance of full-time candidates this year is better than in 2004, as a record 92,6 per cent were graded against the 91,5 per cent last year.Pupils can receive a grade of up to G and be rated. It is the highest percentage of graded pupils obtained since the introduction of the Cambridge Education System in Namibian schools.”Further to be noted, in spite of the increase in the percentage of graded entries and the increase in candidates obtaining better grades, is that the candidates are still underperforming in the average to above-average grades,” the Directorate said.Candidates should ideally obtain at least 27 points which, on average, would be a grade between C and D.However, with the introduction of the examination in 1993 it was not possible to implement the requirement of 27 points and 19 points was accepted for the first results.In 1993, only 37,3 per cent of students obtained 22 points.Since then the quality of work of candidates had improved, which has allowed the Ministry to steadily raise the number of points required.’HIGHER MEAN MARKS’ Candidates obtained higher mean marks, higher percentages of candidates obtained better grades and fewer were ungraded compared to last year in English First Language, History, Geography, Accounting, Agriculture, Business Management, Computer Practice, Home Economics, Needlework and Clothing, Typing, Woodwork, Electricity, Visual Art and Otjiherero First Language.Candidates’ performance was significantly poorer in Life Science, Physical Science, Afrikaans First Language, Portuguese First Language, Silozi First Language, Bricklaying and Plastering, Motor Mechanics, Technical Drawing, Keyboard and Wood Processing and Thimbukushu First Language.In English Second Language, Additional Mathematics, Afrikaans Second Language, German First Language, Fitting and Turning, French Foreign Language, German Foreign Language, Metalwork and Welding and Integrated Performing Arts, the performances were similar to last year’s.The Ministry said it was concerned about the relatively high percentage of ungraded candidates in Mathematics (20,2 per cent), Electricity (15,7 per cent), Typing, Motor Mechanics (38,3 per cent), Fitting and Turning (33,3 per cent), Technical Drawing (17,1 per cent) and Keyboard and Word Processing (21,9 per cent).A very small number of irregularities were detected this year and the results of the candidates suspected of being involved in these are being withheld until investigations have been completed.Results for all other candidates will be released in all regions today at schools where the exams were written.Regional Ministry of Education Offices will also receive a number of printouts, which will indicate the subject grades awarded and points scored per candidate, per school.The results of visually impaired (13 candidates) and hearing-impaired (three) candidates will also be released tomorrow.The results will also be available on the directorate’s website (www.dnea.gov.na).