Maravi

Low grade 12 pass rate disappoints teachers

Low grade 12 pass rate disappoints teachers
By Moses Kuwema
Sun 17 Feb. 2013, 10:40 CAT

THE Professional Teachers Union of Zambia says it is extremely disappointed with the low pass rate at grade 12 which it has attributed to examination leakages and absenteeism of subject teachers.

In a statement, PTUZ general secretary Kangwa Musenga stated that the poor results should call for tough measures in secondary schools to curb leakages and absenteeism.

He stated that the union would submit a proposal to the Ministry of Education on how to address leakages and absenteeism so that the 2013 grade 12 pass rate could improve.

Education minister Dr John Phiri on Friday announced that the number of pupils who obtained school certificates in last year's grade 12 examination had reduced by 1.8 per cent.
He attributed the poor performance to pupils' lack of commitment to academic work.

Dr Phiri said out of the total of 103,853 candidates that sat for the examinations, 60,319 candidates obtained school certificates, translating into 58.1 per cent as compared to 59.9 per cent recorded in 2011.

And Musenga stated that PTUZ wants the government to quickly announce the date of commencement of the salary and conditions of service negotiations as the current collective agreement comes to an end on February 28, 2013.
He stated that the delay had brought a lot of insinuations and rumour mongering among teacher members.

"This must be addressed by commencing the salary and conditions of service negotiations," stated Musenga.

Labels: EDUCATION, PTUZ

posted by MrK @ 7:35 PM