By Ntsebeng Motsoeli
MASERU — The Minister of Education and Training, ’Makabelo Mosothoane, will today award 37 best performing Primary School Leaving Examinations (PSLE)candidates.
The ministry’s principal secretary, Keratile Thabana, announced the release of the 2013 PSLE results yesterday morning at a press conference.
“This is to encourage PSLE candidates to work hard and perform well in their examinations to stand a chance to get the award,” Thabana said.
Mosothoane congratulated Ithabeleng Polaki and Piet Kotelo of Naleli Apostolic Faith Mission in Mohale’s Hoek who were the best candidates.
Mosothoane said more learners have obtained first and second class passes while fewer third class passes have been recorded than last year.
“Seven thousand, two hundred and seventy-five (7 275) obtained a first class pass. This shows an increase of five percent in comparison with the 2012 results,” Mosothoane said.
The number of students who could not meet minimum requirements for a pass has slightly decreased by 0.9 percent compared to that of 2012. About 4 738 candidates failed.
“In total, the number of candidates who have passed the 2013 PSLE is 35 089 (88.1 percent).
“Ladies and gentlemen this is a minimal increase but the bottom line is that 338 more pupils have passed this year.
She noted that Thaba-Tseka and Quthing had performed well with four students from Thaba-Tseka in the top 10 for best performers.
“While the ministry is facing a big challenge of a high drop-out rate caused by multiple of reasons, we want to ensure that access, quality and relevance are maintained,” Mosothoane said.
She said that the ministry intends to expand the national review surveys of the 2008 curriculum and assessment policy that was implemented last year.
