More grade 12s qualify for university

There has been an overall improvement in the results of the Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate (NSSC) Grade 12 Higher Level examination, which were released yesterday by the Minister of Education, David Namwandi, and it is expected that more candidates will qualify for university admission next year. A total of 12 164 (12.3%) of the 57 096 Grade 12 candidates took one or more NSSC Higher Level subjects. This is an increase of 436 (3.7%) in the number of Higher Level candidates who sat for exams this year in comparison to the previous year. The NSSC Higher Level examination consisted of 21 subjects and was available at 127 senior secondary schools throughout the country. This is nine more schools than last year. The results show that candidates have performed better in all grades when compared to last year. There has been an increase in the number of graded entries - 96% in comparison to the 95.8% of last year, Namwandi said. This means that only 4% of the total entries were ungraded when compared to the 4.2% in 2013. The examination results are reported on a four-point scale of which grade 1 is the highest and grade 4 is the lowest. Those who failed to reach the minimum for a grade 4 are ungraded. A grade 3 or better is required in a NSSC Higher Level subject for admission to universities. On that basis 69.4% of the subject entries this year met this minimum requirement compared to 67.7% in 2013. The percentage of candidates having obtained a grade 3 and better in 2014 represents an increase of 1.7% from last year. Therefore, if compared to last year more candidates may qualify for university admission. Namwandi said the “quality symbols” that candidates obtained this year clearly indicate that one can expect more enrolment at tertiary level next year. For grade 1 there was a increase from 5.3% in 2013 to 5.4%, grade 2 increased from 22.8% in 2013 to 24.9% and grade 3 went up from 67.7% to 69.45 while Grade 4 increased from 95.8% to 96%. Namwandi said it is not possible to determine at this stage how many candidates qualify for university admission because the NSSC Higher and Ordinary Level results have to be combined in most cases. According to Namwandi the Ordinary Level results will be released in January. The minister encouraged learners who have successfully completed Grade 12 Higher Level to seek admission at institutions of higher learning locally, regionally and overseas. The best overall performer this year was Rene Spoerer from Windhoek Gymnasium, while the best female performer in six subjects was Nelusigwe Mbingu, also from Windhoek Gymnasium. The best male performer in six subjects was Mark-Peter Eggert from Otjiwarongo Secondary School. WINDHOEK ELLANIE SMIT