Grade 12’s record 70 percent pass rate
By Adrian Mwanza
MINISTER of Education Douglas Syakalima says the country has for the first time recorded a 70 percent pass rate for Grade 12 results.
And Assistant Professor at Kesmonds International University, Lawrence Mwelwa says Zambia must now shift from celebrating enrolment and pass rates, to building competence and economic absorption.
Announcing the 2025 Grade 12 examination results, Dr Syakalima said that the pass rate was unprecedented as it was the first time ever that Zambia had crossed the 70 percent mark for school certificate pass rates.
He said despite the increased number of learners in the classrooms due to free education, the learning outcomes had shown consistent improvement in School Certificate pass rates over the past five years, from 63.93 percent in 2020 to 70.26 percent now in 2025.
“… a total of 197,777 candidates registered for the 2025 School Certificate examination, showing an increase by 24,810 (14.35 percent) on the 172,880 candidates who had registered for the same examination in 2024,” he said.
He said of the 197,777 candidates, a total of 197,690 were from Zambian schools, while 87 were from St. Jeff College School in South Africa.
“These figures are evidence enough that the government policy of free education is translating into increased enrolment in schools; of the 197,690 registered candidates from within Zambia, 194,069 (98.17%) sat the examination, comprising 92,585 (47.70%) males, and 101,484 (52.29%) females, while 3,621 candidates were absent from the examination, comprising 1,861 (51.39%) males and 1,760 (48.61%) females. Together with the candidates from South Africa, a total of 197,777 candidates registered for the examination, comprising 94,489 (47.78%) male and 103,288 (52.22%) female candidates,” he said.
And Dr Mwelwa said the country must now shift from celebrating enrolment and pass rates, to building competence and economic absorption.
Commenting on the results, Dr Lawrence Mwelwa, a former Chreso University Vice Chancellor and current Adjunct Professor at Kesmonds International University said while good grade 12 grades were inspiring, there was a need for backup practical skills and adaptability.
“In 2023, Zambia recorded a 68.03% School Certificate pass rate from 163,408 candidates who sat, with 29.92% obtaining statements and 2.05% failing, while 166,593 candidates registered. In 2024, the pass rate rose slightly to 68.19%, showing modest improvement,” he said.
He, however, attributed the historic milestone of 70.26 per cent pass rate for 2025, with 197,777 candidates registered and 194,069 sitting, to expanded access to education.
“This growth in candidature is not accidental. It reflects the reality of Free Education: more children are staying in school and reaching Grade 12. Registration increased from 166,593 in 2023, to 172,880 in 2024, and then jumped sharply to 197,777 in 2025. That rise is a policy victory. It means families that once lost children to fees and poverty are now keeping them in school longer,” he said.
Dr Mwelwa said the government deserved credit for expanding opportunities and maintaining credible examinations, including the repeated claim of leakage-free national exams—a major improvement for a country once haunted by paper leakages.
“But while Zambia is celebrating that it has crossed 70%, many Grade 12 learners today still lack core competencies, such as reading comprehension, clear writing, numeracy, critical thinking, and practical communication,” he said.
