The Examinations Council of Lesotho released the 2005 Primary School Leaving Examinations (PSLE) results on December 16.

The Minister of Education and Training, Mr. Mohlabi Tsekoa said although there is some improvement in performance at first class level as compared to 2004, there is a marked decline in numbers at second, third, and total pass levels for this year.

The total number of candidates who sat for the examinations was 35, 097, with the total pass at 29, 991 pupils where 5, 357 obtained a first class pass, an increase of 15 per cent over last year.

The Minister said that 7, 329 of the students obtained second class, which is three percent lower than last year, while 17, 305 candidates obtained a third class pass, also lower by two percent compared to last year's result. The overall percentage pass for this year is 85.5 percent.

The total number of unsuccessful candidates is 5, 106, which is also up by three percent compared to last year, Mr. Tsekoa said.

16 December 2005