Poor examination results: a worrying trend?

By Bernard Thungwa

For the past two decades or more national examinations’ results at MSCE have been hovering around 50%. In the late 90s examinations results went as low as below 20%. The 2024 Malawi School Certificate Examinations’ results were pegged at 54%. What is the meaning of a percentage in the results? 54% pass rate means that out of every 100 candidates that sat for the examinations, 54 candidates passed and 46 candidates failed. If it were 50%, this could mean that half of the candidates passed and the other half failed. Just by looking at the pass percentage, the results are sometimes described as very catastrophic.

Possible causes

Not all candidates who register for the examinations actually sit for them. There are also some candidates who, for one reason or another, choose to sit for few subjects not meeting the requirement of certification. These candidates are regarded as failures. This means that if a candidate registers for one subject only and passes it with a distinction; he/she will be treated as a failure since he/she did not meet a requirement of a certificate.

General causes

It has been observed in some instances that a candidate fails in all the subjects that they sat for. Sometimes even all candidates from a particular school failing in the entire examination. This automatically points out at lack of seriousness on the part of the school and the candidates.

There seems to be little or no support from both parents and teachers on the candidates. With the misunderstanding of democratic principles, many students tend to challenge their parents or teachers whenever they are tasked to do something. Parents and teachers seem to be giving in to the desires of the youth.

Sweating for a cause: examination time

There is also lack of communication and collaboration between the school and parents or guardians. Gone are the days when parents were making follow ups on the character and performance of their wards in the school. Could it be that the current parents are busy chasing for money to support their homes? Sometimes a student can pretend to their parents that they are attending lessons but actually they are absconding classes. This may go as long as the whole term without being noticed. Do we expect such candidates to pass examinations?

With the re-introduction of Junior Certificate of Education (JCE) examinations, some students proceed to the senior section (Form 3) even after failing at JCE. How do we expect such students to perform wonders at a more challenging level like MSCE?

The ultimate desire

It is the desire of every parent and the nation to have a 100% pass rate. This is possible when all the obstacles are looked into. Good examples are schools which register a 100% pass rate. If they are able to do it, therefore, all of us can do it. The examining body does not take pleasure in failing the candidates.  It looks forward to a day when all the candidates will pass their examinations.

The minimum academic distance a Malawian student should aim at is up to the university. This means that all candidates were supposed to pass at MSCE and be eligible for university selection.

Any way out?

Parents have a very big role in identifying the skills in their children and direct them properly. Not all children are good at classroom work. Some may be very good at something else like sports, drama, etc which they may do with passion. Forcing these talented youths into the wrong academic journey may have disastrous consequences.

For those that choose the academic path, both teachers and parents can identify the areas that the students are very good at. Once these areas are identified, a lot more effort should be tilted towards the same. Do not waste energy on areas your child is not good at. If you as a parent were good at sciences, don’t expect your child to also be good at sciences like you. He/she may be very good at humanities which you were struggling with! This is a needs assessment which can be done collaboratively among parents, teachers and the student.

When the needs have been identified, enough resources should be put in the right place and proportions. Engage qualified teachers and motivate them. Source enough quality teaching and learning materials. Thoroughly prepare the candidates for examinations.

Conclusion

A 100% pass rate at national examinations is possible. No one sets examinations for someone to fail. It’s like preparing food that no one will eat. Examinations come from what the candidates learn in class. Let us all join hands to improve our education standards in Malawi.

Merry Christmas to you all.