Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) has regrettably announced that the pass rate for the 2020 Ordinary Level results which it has just released was slightly lower than that of 2019.

Addressing a press conference today, Zimsec chairperson, Professor Eddie Mwenje said the results will also be accessible online to candidates as well as authorised personnel through the examination body’s portal available at www.zimsec.co.zw from 1000p.m this evening.

He said the overall pass rate was pegged at 24,8 percent, a slight decrease from 31,6 percent for 2019.

The statistics show that the 2020 pass rate decreased by 6,8 percent from that of 2019.

“However, historical analysis indicates that in 2014, a pass rate of 22,4 percent was recorded while in 2017 the country had a pass rate of 28,7 percent.

“This means that 2020 results are within range and this is commendable considering the devastating conditions of the Covid-19 pandemic. It is also important to note that some countries that went into national lockdowns due to the pandemic also experienced a decrease in pass rate,” said Prof Mwenje.