BY MBONGENI NDLELA
MBABANE – The EPC (Grade 7) and Junior Certificate (JC) results have been announced by Minister of Education Lady Howard Mabuza yesterday. The EPC results show an overall pass rate of 93.91%, a decrease of 0.11% from 2020, while the JC results how an 84.11% pass rate, a 0.38% decrease from 2020.
A total of 29 pupils were tied on first position in the 2021 Junior Certificate (JC) with an aggregate of 97%. They include Ngesihle Dlamini from Manzini Nazarene High; Nkhomotabo Mkhonto from Elangeni High and Mandisa Khumalo from Esandleni High, Temnotfo Dlamini (Evelyn Baring); Lusandza Dlamini; Eugen Dlamini (both St Mark’s); Tembo Dlamini (Ka-Boyce) and Sibongo Ndzinisa (Ngwane Park).
Tiyandza Melokuhle Ndlovu from Manzini Nazarene Primary School is the Best Pupil of the 2021 Eswatini Primary Certificate (EPC) with an aggregate of 85%. She is closely followed by Chansa Mwandu; Yenzokuhle Dlamini; Zamokuhle Matse (all St Theresa’s, 84%); Omwaka Amaumo (Annadale, 83%); Lethu Kunene (St Michael’s, 83%) & Busiswa Mkhonta (Malkerns Valley, 83%).
Here is what some of the top pupils had to say when they found out about their stellar results:
Tiyandza Melokuhle Ndlovu (Manzini Nazarene Primary): “I credit my good results to studying hard and the motivation I got from my teachers, parents and friends. I had to cut down the time spent watching TV and completely abandoned my phone. My advice to other young girls is that they must avoid distractions and study hard. When I finish school, I want to be a cardiologist.”
Amazing Nkhomotabo Mkhonto (Elangeni High School): “My secret, above everything, is God. I prayed during study and at least five minutes before writing my exam paper & after. To other young girls, I want to say have a vision of what you want. Start working towards achieving it. Never ever give up and know that it is possible. When I finish school, I want to be a cardiac surgeon and motivational speaker.”
Mboni Yenzokuhle Dlamini (St. Theresa’s Primary): “I believe my secret is working hard and focusing on my studies. You need to be always serious and you will make it. I stopped watching TV. To other young girls, I want to say they can do anything if they believe and work hard.”
Ngesihle Sizwangaye Dlamini (Manzini Nazarene High): “I can only credit my results to studying hard. That’s the only solution. I had developed a study routine where I started studying at 5pm till around 9 or 10pm, then wake up at around 3am to continue studying. I would like to study civil engineering.”
Leah Chansa Mwandu (St. Theresa’s Primary): “When I was writing the exams, I was so nervous, especially after sitting for my Agriculture paper. Honestly, the secret is studying. Write down the main points to remind you of the sentences you want to master. To other girls, there is no magic for passing, all you have to do is study.”
The Manzini region had the highest passing rates for both the EPC and JC results. Below is a list of perfomance by categories and regions.
2021 JC Performance by Pass Category:
Merit – 1 142
First Class – 1 884
Second Class – 12 687
Third Class – 3 952
2021 JC Performance by Region:
Manzini – 86.41%
Hhohho – 85.83%
Lubombo – 84.08%
Shiselweni – 83%
2021 EPC Performance by Pass Category:
Merit- 1 075
First Class- 3 433
Second Class- 18 907
Third Class- 7 5532021
EPC Performance by Region:
Manzini – 95.11%
Shiselweni – 94.04%
Hhohho – 93.82%
Lubombo – 92.21%
