Girls have once more outsmarted boys at the national end-of-primary cycle examinations, the Certificate of Primary Education (CPE). The gap is quite wide with 71.59 per cent of boys and 80.39 per cent of girls passing the crucial examination.
The 25,624 primary school children in Mauritius and Rodrigues who took part in the examinations received their results on December 13. Since 6 am, heads of schools were at the Mauritius Examinations Syndicate (MES) to take possession of the results slips of the school children attending their schools.
Out of the 26,037 candidates who registered for the examinations, 25,624 took part in the examinations from October 19 to 22.
The percentage of candidates who have passed at their first sitting is 75.96 per cent (boys: 71.59 per cent, girls: 80.39 per cent) while 37.14 per cent (boys: 32.35 per cent, girls: 43.99 per cent) of the repeaters have crossed the bar. This adds up to 68.54 per cent.
The percentage of private candidates sitting is 27.7 per cent (boys: 25.36 per cent, girls: 29.61 per cent).
MES director Lucien Finette said there was a slight improvement in the performance of students. “Last year we recorded an average success rate of 68.13 per cent, and we note that there was a slight increase this year,” he said.
The latter also pointed out that more than 11 prison inmates had entered for the exams, eight of whom have passed.
Regarding the number of differently-abled candidates, Finette said that there were 21 of them who participated in the exams.
Finette also said that the examination was not restricted to the 11 – 12 age group. “This year, a 54-year-old candidate took part in the CPE examination,” he said.
He also informed that parents wishing to revise scripts can call at the MES from December 14 to 20. “A minimal fee of Rs 150 is charged per subject,” said a headteacher. Enrolment to colleges will be done on December 20.
Vinod Seegum, president of the Government Teachers’ Union is said to be upset by the 31 per cent of candidates who have failed the exams. “I expected that the CPE results this year would cross the 70 per cent mark, but it is disappointing,” he said. To him, 31 per cent represents a national tragedy that has lasted for 35 years. “We ask that a High Powered Committee be set up so that we can attain 70 per cent next year,” said Seegum.
“We still have work to do. The minister of Education as well as other stakeholders should put in efforts so that we can address this worrying situation,” he added.
The Independent
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