Dismal O-level performance blamed on parents, schools, teachers

The dismal performance by the majority of Ordinary Level students countrywide over the last few years can be attributed to a poor teaching and learning environment created by parents, schools, teachers and communities, it has been established.

Last week, there was widespread concern after the latest public examination results showed only 20,72 percent of students last year managed to score grade C or better.

While the figure was a marginal improvement on the 2012 performance, questions continued to be raised over the aptitude levels of the failing candidates. 

It has now emerged that a cross-section of stakeholders, including parents themselves, is culpable for the low pass rate.

Information gathered last week indicates that the learning environment most students are exposed to makes it difficult for them to concentrate. For instance, a good number of rural schools make use of basic equipment which is in short supply most of the time.

Students are forced to share meagre textbooks, desks and chairs while others learn in dilapidated classrooms.

In addition, many of them walk long distances to the nearest learning institution.

Financially-challenged families also tend to deprive their children of proper learning opportunities as they assign them to income-generating ventures for their sustenance.

Many other parents do not monitor progress at school, thereby leaving students vulnerable to different agents of socialisation. Poor remuneration has also demotivated some teachers who, in a bid to make ends meet, end up concentrating on side-businesses.

On the contrary, schools with conducive learning environments continue to register brilliant academic performances.

Last year, mission schools impressed, occupying the upper slots on the top 100 rank order list of major academic achievers. Among them was Monte Casino High which registered a 100 percent pass rate.

In 2012, the pass rate stood at 18,4 percent and 19,5 percent in the previous year.

Primary and Secondary Education Minister Lazarus Dokora said a poor learning and teaching environment remains the major impediment to academic excellence at most schools. Dokora said most learning institutions only have basic learning equipment and a few professional teachers, adding that Government was devising measures to address these challenges.

"The 20,72 percent we had for last year is positive, meaning it shows our learning process is developing in the right direction though at a slow pace. It is key that we, as ministry, create a link or a chain that starts at home, that is the parent, and moves to the teacher who will then be rewarded so that he or she provides a good learning foundation that is positive for the pupil. This should be noted that it is a process that starts from grade zero up to Advanced Level. Parents should play a pivotal role in allowing every child to learn, while teachers should do their job professionally and not by sabotaging the learning process due to grievances the pupils are not aware of.

"School heads will be undergoing finance and management training. Teachers will be retrained so that they cope with changes in technology and that tallies with changes that we will make in the curricula later this year."

Zimbabwe Teachers' Association chief executive Mr Sifiso Ndlovu said top-performing schools have remained academically sound because they continue to retain high quality teachers while their development committees and school management enjoy cordial relations.

"Yes, mission schools dominate the top 100 because they are well-funded learning institutions, which results in them providing adequate accommodation and incentives for the teachers, who, in turn, concentrate on the students more than their welfare. They have good criteria of selecting students for their Form One placement, hence, these passing students will continue maintaining the same standards."

Monte Casino Secondary School headmistress Sister Monica Maparura said the learning institution took pole position as a result of joint commitment.

"We are committed as a school across the board. Our motto is to pray and work as a team," she said.

Zimbabwe Republic Police High School deputy headmaster, Mr Mazhombwe, whose school was ranked third in the 2013 top 100, said professionalism and dedication won the day for the learning institution.