LAST year’s pass rates for Zimsec Ordinary and Advanced Levels improved significantly compared to 2010. The pass rate for the November results for O-Level improved by four percent, while that for A-Level improved by over 10 percent. The 2011 national percentage pass rate for O and A-Level stands at 19,50, from 16,50 for the 2010 results. The pass rate for A-Level increased to 85,25, up from 75,99 in 2010. St Faith’s High School in Manicaland had the best results for A-Level, followed by Shungu in Midlands and Nyanga high schools in Manicaland respectively. For O-Level, Nyanga High School was the best-placed school, followed by St Dominics (Chishawasha) and ZRP High School respectively. Zimbabwe School Examinations Council board chairman Professor Norman Maphosa yesterday said the Grade Seven performance improved by close to four percent, from 25 percent in 2010 to 28,9 percent last year. He said registered candidates for O-Level went up from 229 522 in 2010 to 241 512 last year. Candidates who sat for A-Level dropped from 27 782 in 2010 to 25 136 last year. A total of 288 365 candidates registered for Grade Seven examinations last year, down from 303 978 in 2010. “The O-Level pass rate stands at 19,50 percent last year and the criterion for passing is five subjects or more at Grade C or better up from 16,50 percent the previous year,” he said. “The A-Levels registered a big improvement of 10 percent at 85,25 last year, up from 75,99 percent in 2010 using a passing criterion of two or more subjects at grade E or better. “It is pleasing to note that across all levels, the pass rates are showing an upward movement trend.” The O and A-Level passes were however, dominated by church-run schools with an overall pass rate of 73,8 percent. Prof Maphosa paid tribute to Zimsec staff and management for producing the results on time. He praised Zimbabwe’s education system, saying the country’s General Certificate of Education for O and A-Levels was equivalent to the United Kingdom Ordinary Levels (grades C-A) and Advanced Levels (grades E-A). He said Zimsec had introduced e-marking, adding that this year’s June and November examinations will register developments in marking. “Another technological development is that in the 2012 A-Level June examinations, we are piloting the registration of candidates via computer,” he said. “In addition to Tonga, which was examined in 2011, Zimsec is going to examine more minority languages.”

A Level Ranking 2011 Position    Name of School    Candidature 1st 10 1. St Faith’s    Manicaland    92 2. Shungu    Midlands    50 3. Nyanga    Manicaland    69 4. St Ignatius    Mash East    50 5. Gokomere    Masvingo    85 6 St Francis of Assisi    Mash East    57 7.St Johns    Mash East    51 8.Zengeza High    Harare    93 9.Monte Cassino    Mash East    50 10.Marange    Manicaland    60 The 1st 50 Ordinary Level 1.Nyanga    Manicaland    92 2.St Dominics     Mash East    87 3.ZRP High    Harare    115 4. St Ignatius    Mash East    79 5. Kriste Mambo    Manicaland    111 6. John Tallach    Bulawayo    103 7. Monte Cassino    Mash East    79 8 St Davids Bonda    Manicaland    199 9. Chikwingwizha    Midlands    34 10. St Faith’s    Manicaland    143 11.Moleli    Mash West    126 12.Bradley    Mash Central    103 13.Sandringham    Mash West    176 14.Marist Brothers    Bulawayo    129 15. St Augustine     Manicaland    173 16.Hartzell    Manicaland    191 17.Anderson    Midlands    65 18.Kutama    Mash West    90 19. St Francis  Assisi    Mash East    132 20. Serima    Masvingo    137 21. Nyazura    Manicaland     150 22. Regina Mundi    Mildands    146 23. Gokomere    Masvingo    236 24. Daramombe     Mash East     149 25. Langham    Mash Central    110 26.  Mazowe     Mash Central     151 27. Marange    Manicaland     179 28. Shungu     Midlands    69 29. St Anthony’s     Masvingo     133 30. St Columbus’    Bulawayo    165 31.  Howard     Mash Central     189 32. Marondera     Mash East     161 33. Bernard Mzeki     Mash East     77 34. St Dominic’s     Manicaland     234 35.  Mtshabezi     Mat South     176 36.  St Johns Chikwak Mash East     187 37. Nyahuni     Mash East     148 38.  Ruya Adventist    Mash Central     95 39. Lundi     Masvingo     123 40. Mt St Mary’s     Mash East     139 41. St Anne’s Goto     Mash East     127 42. Mandedza     Mash East     141 43. Nyashanu     Manicaland     153 44. Loreto     Midlands     106 45. Usher     Mat South     86 46. St Patrick’s     Midlands     165 47.  Pamushana     Masvingo     216 48. Pakame     Midlands     153 49. Chibi     Masvingo     121 50. Goromonzi     Mash East     185