Pass rate disappointing

Only 21 291 of the 38 240 candidates who sat for the 2016 Grade 10 examination have qualified for admission to Grade 11 next year.

Despite representing a pass rate of 55.7% and a little over 1% increase from 2015, there are significant gaps, particularly in knowledge of subjects like Accounting and the different languages offered at junior secondary level.

The northern schools have yet again managed to outperform schools south of the red line with Oshikoto, Oshana and Omusati and Ohangwena enjoying the top national rankings.

Kavango East also retained its fifth position, while Zambezi improved two places to finish at number six. Kavango West dropped down to position seven, while Erongo also moved down to eight.

Kunene and Otjozondjupa remain unmoved at position nine and ten respectively.

At the wrong end of the table are Khomas (11), Omaheke (12), //Karas (13) and Hardap at 14. While announcing the results yesterday, education minister Katrina Hanse-Himarwa expressed disappointment with the class of 2016’s performance in Accounting. She highlighted that there is a serious need for efforts to be geared to improve the poor performance in this subject which has led to a high percentage of ungraded candidates.

The percentage rate of ungraded candidates in Accounting stands at 20.8% this year compared to 25.2% last year. “Regional offices are urged to put more efforts in this subject,” she said.

Subjects where candidates in general obtained better grades compared to the previous year included Agriculture, Entrepreneurship, Geography, Life Science, Mathematics, Physical Science, Silozi First Language and English Second Language.

“I believe that the bulk of the Namibian children can with the necessary support move over to above average performance,” said the minister.

The minister further advised Grade 10 dropouts to register with part-time centres such as Namcol and other institutions to upgrade their subject symbols.

They are also encouraged to register with vocational training centres to improve their skills in vocational education and training. She also encouraged poor performing regions to identify and reflect on the factors which hampered their performances. According to her, 2 430 of the candidates who failed Grade 10 this year who are 17 years and younger will be allowed to repeat in 2017.

“An observation of great concern is that 4 638 of the subject entries, candidates did not turn up to write the examinations they registered for.”

Hanse-Himarwa promised that although increasing the pass rate from 23 points to 27 will not take place next year, it will nevertheless happen during her time as education minister.

Good management

Meanwhile, permanent secretary of the education ministry Sanet Steenkamp pointed out that the best performing schools are set apart by their management teams. According to her, the schools have fostered a strong sense of care, discipline and safety environment.

“Something that does not cost any money. High leadership, effective leadership and management. The second thing is educator practice. Now at these schools the teachers were not highly educated, but they had a grip and a sense of connecting with their learners,” said Steenkamp. She also commended the schools for realising that parent and learners have a critical role to play at their respective schools.

“Most of these schools were selective in their enrolment. They took what they got. I just want to state that these schools assumed that every learner can succeed. These learners proved that despite difficult personal challenges that they have an unwavering faith in themselves,” she said.



Recipe for success

The top five performers all echoed group study as the best recipe for success and to always consult with teachers when in doubt. Top Grade 10 performer Tangi Nakapela from Reverend Juuso Shikongo Secondary School in Oshikoto said he remained focussed because his teachers and family always motivated him to do well. Raul Coetzee from Rukonga Vision School said he managed to pass Grade 10 with the grace of God and his self-discipline.

“I have this goal of giving my family a better life so I am working hard consistently. It important to study beforehand so that work does not pile up and to read up thoroughly after school,” said Coetzee. Paulina Hambata from Charles Anders Combined School argues that one must by all means try and find your own study method.

“I study smart and not hard. Study smart means you have found a way that works with you, study hard means taking a book and reading and reading without getting anything from it,” she said.



JEMIMA BEUKES