 | Who Becomes a Primary School Teacher in Lesotho: Characteristics and Experiences of the DEP Student Teachers upon Entry into NTTC (CIE, 2002, 49 p.) |
 |  | Chapter 3: Data Analysis And Interpretation |
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3.7 Performance at Post-Primary School
3.7.1 Performance in English
It would seem that the student teachers who participated in this study did not do well in English at either JC or COSC, with none reporting A grades. Performance in English at JC was slightly better than at COSC for most student teachers. As indicated in Tables 5 and 6, 38% got good passes (6% B, 32% C) at JC, but the figure was lower (3% each for B and C) at COSC. While at JC 30% of those surveyed got an E or below, at COSC 62% had E or below.
3.7.2 Performance in Mathematics
In Maths, the range is slightly wider, but the overall results are worse. At JC, one student had an A grade, and 22% were in the B/C bracket, while just over half got E or below, the Es forming the largest single group. By comparison, at COSC there were no As, 14% got B/C, and two-thirds got E or below, most of these being Fs.
3.7.3 Performance in Science
Performance in Science at both exams was rather better, but still indicates weaknesses at COSC. In JC, 4% of students got an A, 10% a B, and 29% a C, with less than a third (30%) getting E or below. At COSC there were no As, though 13% got B, 20% C, and 39% had E or below.
Table 5: Pass symbols at JC in English, Mathematics and Science Examination
|
Value |
English |
Mathematics |
Science | |||
| |
Frequency |
Percent |
Frequency |
Percent |
Frequency |
Percent |
|
F |
7 |
7.8% |
19 |
21.1% |
14 |
15.6% |
|
E |
20 |
22.2% |
28 |
31.1% |
13 |
14.4% |
|
D |
25 |
27.8% |
19 |
21.1% |
21 |
23.3% |
|
C |
29 |
32.2% |
12 |
13.3% |
26 |
28.9% |
|
B |
5 |
5.6% |
8 |
6.9% |
9 |
10.0% |
|
A |
0 |
0% |
1 |
1.1% |
4 |
4.4% |
|
No response |
4 |
4.4% |
1 |
1.1% | | |
|
Total |
90 |
100.0% |
90 |
100.0% |
90 |
100.0% |
The average COSC results which the College uses in admitting candidates into the Diploma programme show that the most students have D grades or below in the core subjects. Using these symbols, it becomes difficult to accept the notion that the calibre of student teachers for the new diploma programme is better than those who entered the old PTC programme.
Table 6: Pass symbol at COSC in English, Mathematics and Science Examination
|
Value |
English |
Mathematics |
Science | |||
| |
Frequency |
Percent |
Frequency |
Percent |
Frequency |
Percent |
|
F |
18 |
20.0% |
43 |
47.8% |
23 |
25.6% |
|
E |
38 |
42.2% |
16 |
17.8% |
12 |
13.3% |
|
D |
25 |
27.8% |
14 |
15.5% |
22 |
24.4% |
|
C |
3 |
3.3% |
12 |
13.3% |
18 |
20.0% |
|
B |
3 |
3.3% |
1 |
1.1% |
12 |
13.3% |
|
No response |
3 |
3.3% |
4 |
4.4% |
3 |
3.3% |
|
Total |
90 |
100.0% |
90 |
100.0% |
90 |
100.0% |
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