08 Feb 2016

Girls at junior secondary schools continue to outsmart their male counterparts across all subjects as evidenced by the 2015 Junior Certificate examination results.

An analysis by the Ministry of Education and Skill Development (MoESD) shows an overall better performance by girls against boys while the general A-C performance of the candidature has been steadily increasing from 2012 to 2015.
A total of 42 553 sat for last year’s exams as opposed to 42 797 in 2014 and 43 788 in 2013 which translates to a decrease of 0.57 per cent in candidature between 2015 and 2014, and a decrease of 2.23 per cent in candidature between 2014 and 2013.

According to the report, there is a slight increase of 0.58 per cent in the candidates awarded grades A to C, at 69.74 per cent in 2015 compared to 69.16 per cent in 2014 which is deemed not significant.

It also states that most subjects have performed at the same level as in 2014, with the exception of agriculture which had a significant improvement of 5.03 per cent.

A look at the top 20 performing schools shows a dominance by schools from peri-urban places and big villages as Gaborone has placed six schools while others are in Orapa, Francistown, Selebi Phikwe, Lobatse and Serowe.

“The regional offices and schools are currently carrying out the analysis of the results of which thereafter the regions will consolidate all the challenges and strengths that schools have. The challenges would inform better the interventions that will be tailor made for each region and schools so as to improve performance,” reads part of the report.

The ministry plans to organise workshops in all subject areas to refresh teachers on best approaches to delivery in teaching and learning for all schools. Ends