Cambridge International Examination |29 January 2021

Sals records 100% success rate

The School of Advanced Level Studies (Sals) has recorded its best ever Cambridge International Examination results.

The 70 candidates who sat for the exams in November last year have recorded a 100% pass rate. Thirty students scored 18 points or better (48%) and 40 students scored 12 points or better.

There were 150 exam entries with 70 students including 7 on Aspiring Teacher Programme. The high achievers for the year 2020 are:

1 Sarojini Padayachy Murugan - AAAA* (Maths, Physics, Biology, Chemistry) - 42 points;

2 Prisca Adeline - ABBC (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths) - 32 points;

3 Abinaya Pillay - BBBC (Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Physics) - 30 points;

4 Covenant Olawale - AAA (Maths, Computer Science, Physics) 30 points.

There are also two students who scored two As and a B.

These results were attained even though there was a lockdown for 7 weeks, noted Lester Omondi, principal of Sals, in a press conference yesterday at the Site (Seychelles Institute of Teacher Education) auditorium.

“We have a vision and the vision has been pulling us up and we want to be the best in all contexts. In 2018, the pass rate was 94% and we scored 100% pass rate in 9 out of 18 subjects; in 2019 we had a pass rate of 96% with 100% pass rate in 12 out of 18 subjects and for the year 2020 we achieved our level best with 100% pass rate and 100% pass rate in all ten subjects. We also achieved the highest rate of students scoring ‘C’s and above with 69% of students in 7 out of 10 subjects,” noted Mr Omondi.

The principal said he is greatly indebted to the school staff who sacrificed their holidays to help the students complete their syllabus and also to the disciplined and highly motivated students.

“Despite the challenge we are facing, Sals work as a team and we have a motivated and hardworking management and staff members. We have a low staff turnover that ensure continuity in learning,” Mr Omondi added.

Despite the success rate, Sals also had some challenges during the year such as lack of sufficient resources.

Having 70 students sitting for exams is it enough for Seychelles? Philip Monthy, coordinator of studies at Sals (A Level) noted this group of students is the first doing 10 subjects in the system of AS and A2.

“Sals lost some subjects and many of the students who had interest in these subjects chose to apply for other institutions. The 2020 results set a record for Sals and the challenge will be to maintain the 100% pass rate. I would like to congratulate the students and the teachers and also the parents and the Ministry of Education for their continuous support. We also thank principal secretary Odile De Commarmond who has been a silent supporter and motivator of Sals,” said Mr Omondi.

To recall the entry requirement for A Level is based on a point level (30 points). “We look at the academic profile of the student to make a decision,” explained Mr Omondi.

To resume the year 2021, teachers are interacting with the students via texts, whatsapp and other means. As soon as school resumes, the lessons will be reviewed, noted Mr Omondi and Mr Monthy.

Vidya Gappy

Encadre

82% pass rate recorded from private students

There was a total of 33 private students taking part in the Cambridge International Examination and they sat for the following subjects: Mathematics (100% pass), Biology (67% pass), Chemistry (80% pass), Physics (67% pass), Geography (100% pass), Literature in English (0% pass), English Language (100% pass) and Business (100% pass).

YEAR 2 FINAL EXAM ANALYSIS 2020

YEAR 2 FINAL EXAM COMPARISON (2019 and 2020)