COSC results out, pass rate slightly down

MASERU — The Ministry of Education and Training will release the 2009 Cambridge Overseas School Certificate (COSC) results today.
Acting education minister Ralechate ‘Mokose told a press conference yesterday that candidates would start getting their results at their respective centres this morning.
‘Mokose said the 2009 pass rate was 0.6 percent lower than last year.
He said the overall school leaving certificate pass was 56.9 percent.
Some 10 269 students registered for the course but 10 180 managed to sit for the examinations according to ‘Mokose.
He said 5 789 of those that took the examinations obtained a school leaving certificate.
He said 4 329 candidates obtained the General Certificate of Education (GCE).
“This is an increase of 1.5 percent,” ‘Mokose said.
“The number of first class and third class passes has increased while second class passes have decreased.”
He said although 2009 saw a slight increase in the candidates who obtained A-grades in English the number of students who got a pass was similar to 2008. 
“The performance in both Mathematics and Sesotho is very similar to that of last year,” ‘Mokose said.
According to the ministry’s figures, 584 (5.7 percent) students obtained first class passes while 1 823 (17.9 percent) obtained a second class pass.
‘Mokose said 62 candidates did not meet the requirement to obtain either a school leaving certificate or the general certificate.
A total of 3 382 (33.2 percent) obtained third class while 4 329 obtained GCE.
“He said the top students were Hlabathe Zwelithini of St Boniface High School and Qhotsokoane Tebello of Leribe English Medium High School who both obtained an aggregate of 6 A’s congratulations, you have made the nation proud,” he said.