Junior Secondary School Leaving (JSSL) Examination Results
The Honorable Minister of Education, Douglas Siakalima (MP), announced the results of the 2024 Junior Secondary School Leaving (JSSL) examination today. A total of 325,108 candidates entered the examination, marking a 3.6 percent increase from 2023. Among them, 47.47 percent were boys (154,345) and 52.53 percent were girls (170,763).
A total of 302,870 candidates, representing 93.16 percent of those entered, sat for the examination. Of these, 47.23 percent were boys (143,038) and 52.77 percent were girls (159,832). The national absenteeism rate stood at 6.84 percent, a slight reduction from 6.98 percent in 2023, with 22,238 candidates absent.
Out of those who sat for the examination, 169,280 candidates (55.89 percent) obtained the Junior Secondary School Leaving Certificate, showing an improvement of 2.34 percentage points from 2023’s pass rate of 53.55 percent. Additionally, 110,203 candidates received statements, representing 36.39 percent, a slight decrease from 37.62 percent in 2023. Unfortunately, 23,387 candidates (7.72 percent) failed, although this was an improvement from the previous year’s 8.83 percent.
The progression rate to Grade 10 in 2025 is 55.89 percent, an increase from 53.55 percent in 2023. Learners who wrote the Junior Secondary External (JSE) examination in July 2024 and obtained the certificate are also eligible for Grade 10 in 2025.
Regarding examination malpractice, 92 individual cases and one whole center case were recorded. The results of the affected candidates have been withheld pending further determination.
Grade 10 learners will commence the academic year on Monday, 13th January 2025, with a grace period extending to 24th January 2025.
Primary School Leaving (PSL) Examination Results
The 2024 Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) saw a total of 543,069 candidates register, an 8.04 percent increase from 2023. Of these, 542,913 were Zambian, and 156 were from St. Jeff College School in Johannesburg, South Africa.
A total of 491,785 candidates sat for the examination, reflecting a 90.56 percent attendance rate. Out of these, 350,116 candidates (71.19 percent) obtained the Primary School Leaving Certificate, an improvement from the 69 percent pass rate in 2023.
Boys constituted 47.60 percent (234,097) of the candidates who sat for the examination, while girls made up 52.40 percent (257,688). This marks the third consecutive year that more girls have registered and sat for the examination.
The absenteeism rate was 9.44 percent, a slight reduction from 9.60 percent in 2023, with 51,284 candidates absent. A total of 141,669 candidates (28.81 percent) failed the examination, and therefore, shall not proceed to Form One. Consequently, 192,953 candidates, representing 35.53 percent of those who entered for the examination, will not proceed to secondary school in 2025.
Those who did not meet the selection standard for Form One will have the opportunity to repeat primary education, while absent learners will be brought back to school.
Form One learners will begin their academic year on 10th February 2025, with a two-week grace period.
Parents and guardians can check Grade 7 and 9 results via SMS by sending EXAM NO (SPACE) YEAR (SPACE) GRADE (SPACE) to 8383 through ZAMTEL & MTN.
