The Ministry of Primary and Secondary education has with immediate effect declared a 30% mark at ordinary level as a certifiable pass.
Announcing the result of the November 2015 Ordinary Level examinations, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Lazarus Dokora said that an E grade mark at Ordinary Level will now be considered as a pass mark which could be considered for possible employment and further education.
Previously an O’Level pass mark was 50% and above which is a grade C mark. Minister Dokora said that the C grade pass is now only a pass with a credit and not necessarily the cut off pass mark.
Educationists have reacted with confusion to the latest development from the Minister. The Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association said that the new system is confusing as it is not clear if the E grade pass will be used as a pass mark to allow learners to proceed to Advanced Level and tertiary education.
The Ministry’s position is also not clear as to what will happen to previous candidates from years back who have been failing to proceed with their studies because of the lower than grade C pass mark. A majority of Zimbabweans have been battling with an O’Level pass of a C or better in Mathematics and Science rendering thousands unacceptable at tertiary institutions.
The new pass mark grading system ultimately gives the 2015 November examinations a 51% pass rate up from the previous years’ average 28%.