Zambia’s Minister of Education Announces 2024 Examination Results
Zambia’s Ministry of Education, under the leadership of Minister Douglas Siakalima, has proudly announced the release of the 2024 examination results, achieving a significant milestone by publishing them just four weeks after the exams concluded.
This rapid turnaround is a historic first for Zambia, showcasing the government’s commitment to streamlining processes and delivering timely results.
Minister Siakalima highlighted that examiners received their allowances before the results were released, a crucial step addressing the long-standing issue of delayed compensation. This improvement is intended to enhance working conditions for examiners and ensure their dedication to the examination process.
For the Junior Secondary Examination (JSE), a total of 119,928 candidates registered, with girls constituting 56.82% and boys 43.18%. Of these candidates, 72.23% passed at least one subject. The absenteeism rate for the JSE decreased to 5.62%, marking a 0.79% improvement from 2023.
In the General Certificate of Education (GCE), 149,920 candidates registered, reflecting a 1.55% increase from the previous year. Among those who sat for the exams, 75.38% passed at least one subject. The absenteeism rate also saw a reduction to 7.89%, down 0.5% from 2023. French had the highest pass rate at 81.4%, while Pre-Tech had the lowest at 15%.
Both the 2024 Junior Secondary External and GCE examinations were conducted without any leakages, preserving the integrity of the examination process. However, the Minister reported instances of malpractice, with three confirmed cases and seven suspected, affecting a total of 5,874 candidates.
In response, the Examinations Council of Zambia has withheld results for 205 candidates involved in individual malpractice cases and nullified results for 116 others. Additionally, the GCE examination center status of eight centers has been suspended due to these malpractices.
The government reaffirmed its zero-tolerance stance on examination malpractice. Minister Siakalima warned that strict legal actions will be enforced against offenders, stating, “We will not tolerate any behavior that undermines the integrity of our education system.”
Candidates can access their results via SMS or through the Examination Council of Zambia’s online portal starting September 2024.
