The Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) is set to release the 2024 Ordinary Level examination results today. The announcement will be made by ZIMSEC board chairperson, Professor Paul Mafumo, at 2:30 PM at the council’s headquarters in Harare.
This release comes shortly after the 2024 November Advanced Level results, which recorded a national pass rate of 94.58%, maintaining a trend similar to the 2023 results.
A total of 33,585 candidates sat for the 2024 Ordinary Level exams, reflecting a slight 2.47% drop compared to the 34,437 candidates in 2023. Among these, 33,246 candidates attempted two or more subjects, with 31,443 earning a Grade E or better, yielding a pass rate of 94.58%, mirroring last year’s performance.
Female candidates demonstrated notable improvement, achieving a 95.94% pass rate for those who attempted two or more subjects—an increase from 92.32% in 2023. This marks a significant 3.62% rise.
Male candidates, on the other hand, achieved a pass rate of 93.13%, slightly lower than the 93.95% recorded in 2023, though their overall performance remained consistent.
Special needs candidates showed remarkable progress, with 38 out of 40 achieving a Grade E or better, resulting in a 95% pass rate. This is a substantial improvement from the 84.62% pass rate in 2023, where 29 out of 34 candidates passed.
A total of 29,041 school candidates participated in the 2024 exams, slightly fewer than the 29,910 in 2023. Of these, 28,900 candidates sat for two or more subjects, with 27,509 achieving a Grade E or better, leading to a pass rate of 95.18%, closely aligned with the 95.19% from the previous year.
Private candidates, numbering 4,544 in 2024, showed a slight increase in participation for those taking two or more subjects. Among them, 4,346 sat for multiple subjects, and 3,934 passed, resulting in a pass rate of 90.52%, similar to the 90.57% in 2023.
The consistent pass rates at both A-Level and Grade 7 reflect the strength and dedication of Zimbabwe’s education system. The Grade 7 results, released in November 2023, showed an increase in the national pass rate from 45.57% in 2023 to 49.01%. Girls outperformed boys, with pass rates of 53.68% and 43.99%, respectively.
ZIMSEC attributed the steady improvement to efforts by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education. These efforts include enhanced teaching methodologies, better learning facilities, and initiatives such as the school feeding program, which have significantly contributed to rising pass rates over the past five years, from 37.11% in 2020 to 49.01% in 2023.
The 2024 Ordinary Level results highlight the continued resilience of students, teachers, and stakeholders in Zimbabwe’s education sector, showcasing a commitment to academic excellence.
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Clema Irakoze
January 17, 2025 at 4:10 pm
Clema Irakoze