Zim Top O, A-Level schools for 2011 named

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 (1st 10)

Position, Name of School    Candidature

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