316, 690 CANDIDATES THAT SAT FOR THE G7 EXAMS MAKE IT TO G8

By Chileshe Mwango

About 156,315 candidates that sat for the 2023 Junior Secondary School leaving examination have obtained certificates out of a total of 291,894 candidates.

Announcing the results in Lusaka today, Education Minister Douglas Syakalima also says the 2023 Grade 10 national progression rate has reduced to 53.53 percent compared to last year’s 54.18 percent.

Mr. Syakalima has also disclosed that about 109,803 grade 9 candidates obtained statements of results, with about 25,776 failing the exam while 21,897 candidates were absent, bringing the 2023 national absenteeism rate to 6.98 percent.

Meanwhile, Mr. Syakalima has disclosed that of the 454, 213 Zambian candidates that sat for the Grade 7 exams, 316, 690 obtained primary school certificate.

Mr. Syakalima has since warned school administrators not to progress candidates that have failed in both grades to senior grades until they obtain the right qualifications.

And speaking at the same event, Examination Council of Zambia-ECZ- Director General Michael Chilala says the abolishment of the automatic progression to Grade 8 will serve teachers from the difficulties the system brought with it.

Dr. Chilala explains that there have been situations where teachers have had to teach Grade 8 pupils how to read due to the automatic progression system which qualified all for Grade 7 candidates to Grade 8.

PHOENIX NEWS