17 Dec 2020

The overall performance of Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) has recorded an insignificant decline.

This was revealed by Minister of Basic Education Mr Fidelis Molao when delivering a statement to Parliament on the 2020 PSLE results on Wednesday.

He said the overall performance recorded a decline of 0.89 per cent from 74.4 per cent in 2019 to 73.44 per cent in 2020 of candidates obtaining credit grades (A, B and C).

He said at the pass grades (D and E) the proportion of candidates at grade D remained the same though an insignificant decrease of 0.15 per cent was observed from 19.12 per cent in 2019 to 18.97 per cent in 2020.

He said at grade E there had been an increase of 1.01 per cent from 6.43 per cent in 2019 to 7.44 per cent in 2020.

He said this year the number of candidates who failed to meet the minimum requirements for grade E symbolised with letter U remained very low at 0.03 per cent nationally.

He said the number of candidates who were not graded was also low at 0.19 per cent which he said was not bad considering the plight of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mr Molao said performance varied across regions with the South-East region becoming the best performer at 84.61 per cent. It was followed by the North-East region at 82.75 per cent while Chobe got 77.55 per cent. Central obtained 74.08 per cent, southern got 72.51 per cent, Kgatleng 71.59 per cent followed by Kweneng at 67.01 per cent and

North West with 65.66 per cent. Kgalagadi stands at 64.15per cent while Ghanzi is at 55.74 per cent.

He said the least performing region, Ghanzi, had improved from last year’s performance of 54.81 per cent.

“Generally females performed better than males. The same trend has been observed in the past four years. Females continue to outperform their male counterparts in all subjects,” he said.

Minister Molao said the 2020 overall results indicated good performance by learners at PSLE.

He commended teachers for their commitment despite the hardships brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The PSLE was initially scheduled to take place between October 5 and 12 . Due to disruptions in the school calendar, it was shifted to start on October  12 and ended on the 19th.

Mr Molao said the annual training for chief invigilators could not be conducted by the BEC with the view to reduce contact during the pandemic period.

He applauded both learners and teachers for remaining focused on the ultimate goal.

He said the ministry would do all its best in improving the teaching and learning environments as well as teachers’ welfare. ENDS