By:
Abibatu Kamara -Awoko
A pupil of the
Modern High School in Jomo Kenyetta Road, West of Freetown Andrea Cole, scored the highest marks in the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) with aggregate six.
Other candidates that have aggregate six are: Solomon Patrick Brima of
Beacon High School, Dominic Hindolo Saidu of the
Sierra Leone Grammar School; Nelson McEwen of the Sierra Leone Grammar School and Haja Isatu Bah of the
St. Joseph’s Secondary School, Brookfields.
Other top candidates : 8 candidates had aggregate 7 as against 6 in 2011; 13 candidates had aggregate 8 as against 13 in 2011; 18 had aggregate 9 as against 10 in 2011 and 38 had aggregate 10 as against 20 in 2011.
In a broadcast interview on Tuesday night, Head of the National Office, West African Examination Council, Sheriff M. Sapateh, said that the July 2012 BECE had a candidate entry of 82,907.
This figure, he said, indicates an increase of 1.23% over last year’s figure of 81, 917, adding that the examination was conducted for 575 junior secondary schools in 185 centres countrywide.
He said that other outstanding performers with aggregate 7 are : Hilda Emma Morsay of the Annie Walsh Memorial School with ; Sherryll Scott of Annie Walsh Memorial School , Josephine M. Williams of Annie Walsh Memorial School ; Fanta Thoronka St Joseph’s Secondary Brookfields; Godfreila Jonat-George of International Secondary School; Samuel Nyarkeh Koroma of International Secondary School; Osman Kamara of Baptist Compound, Academy, Calaba Town Town and Teresa V. Tyre of the Modern High School.
Sapateh reiterated that the best candidate in each region includes: Western region, Andrea Cole of the Modern High School with aggregate 6; Southern Region, Mohamed Fofanah of Christ the King College, Bo polling aggregate 8; Northern Region , James Turay of St. Francis Secondary Makeni with aggregate 8 and Eastern Region, Abubakarr Mansaray of Government Secondary Kenema with aggregate 10.
On the best performing school by region (based on entries of more than 100 candidates) with passes in 5 and above subjects: Holy Family Secondary School of Calabar Town with 125 candidates entered and 125 passed followed by Benevolent Secondary , Makeni with 124 candidates entered for the exam and 122 passes ; Sierra Leone Grammar School 149 entered for the exam with 146 passes in 5 ; CKC Bo, 142 candidates entered for the exam with 139 passes; Prince of Wales 408 candidates entered with 344 passes; St. Francis Makeni 415 candidates entered and 400 passes and Annie Walsh Memorial Secondary School 356 candidates entered and 342 passes.
On School General Performance by Region- Western Area (Based on entries of more than 100 candidates) (96%-98%); Holy Family School Secondary School sent in 125 candidates and 125 passed in five subjects; Sierra Leone Grammar School sent in 149 candidates and 146 passes in five subjects; Prince of Wales 408 candidates entered with 394 passes in five subjects and Annie Walsh Memorial School 356 candidates entered and 324 passed in five subjects.
The National Head said that for the Western Region, a total of 27,425 candidates entered for the exam. 13,982 were male and 13,443 were female.
For the Northern Region 25,232 entered for the exam. 14, 770 were male and 10,462 were female.
For the Eastern Region 17, 735 entered for the exam. 9, 851 were male and 8,154 were female.
For the Southern Region 12, 515 entered for the exam. 7,231 were male and 5, 284 were female.
He reiterated that two hundred and five (205) various subjects and four entire results from 55 secondary schools have been cancelled, as a result of examination malpractice.
Giving the performance statistics, Sapateh stated that candidates were examined in 19 subjects.
Seventeen subjects as against thirteen in (2011) showed performance at 40% and above cumulative pass grades 1-6.
The subjects with the corresponding percentages passes are as follows:
Arabic 80.41%; Limba 77.09%, Practical Arts 70.28%; integrated Science 69.92%; French 67.28%; Agricultural Science 64.50%; Introductory Technology 62.60%; Home Economics 59.24%; Krio 58.13%, Maths 57.36%; Social Studies 55.30%; Physical Health Education 53.89%; Religious and Moral Education 50.34%; Kathemne 52.06%; Language Arts 50.11%; Basic Electronics 44.71% and Mende 44.66%. Below 40%, are Performing Arts 38.02% and Business Studies 39.85%.
Sapateh also stated that fifteen subjects as against 10 in (2011) showed an improved performance (upward).
The National Head further said that the performance of candidates on the whole, showed considerable improvement.
In the core subjects, Langauge Arts, (50.11%), Integrated Science (69.92%), Social Studies (55.30%) and Mathematics (57.36%) showed upward trend. He said there is an improvement in the core subjects.
He maintained that candidates with passes in five subjects and above and four subjects on regional basis:
Northern Region passes in five subjects 16,242 and passes in four subjects 2279.
Western Area passes in five subjects 16, 445 and passes in four subjects 2,866.
Eastern Region passes in five subjects 6,381 and passes in four subjects 1,781.
Southern Region passes in five subjects 4,845 and passess in four subjects 1,215 and 1,215 passes in four subjects.
The candidates, he went on, were examined in 19 subjects in which each candidate is required to offer eight subjects i.e four core subjects, two optional core and two electives. The overall grading aggregate is based amongst the best subjects in the combinations.
Sapateh congratulates all candidates who sat the examination for their devotion and preparedness.
“I want to congratulate specifically all candidates that have acquired aggregate that can secure places for them in the senior secondary schools and senior technical and vocational”
He said that this year on the whole, showed some improvement.“ I may equally want to wish to encourage those candidates to continue to put more efforts in their schooling”.
He commended government, parents, the teachers and school authorities for the various inputs they have made to the success of the candidates.
The National Head, challenged all candidates to adopt a more positive approach towards their school work for a brighter future.He also thanked government for the payment of BECE fees.
awoko
