While a record number of students sat senior exams in 2019, a majority of Tonga's Form Six students failed to pass their examinations, with the Ministry of Education and Training reporting yesterday that the overall pass rate was only 38% for the Tonga Form Six Certificate, “a remarkable drop from the rate of 48% in 2018.”

Students who fail, according to the certificate, have “insufficient mastery of basic knowledge and skills that are fundamental for this level of study.”

The National Form Seven Certificate results were better with a 68% pass rate, in the results released earlier in the week on January 7.

There was an increase in the number of students sitting both examinations in 2019.

Form Seven Examination

A total of 656 candidates registered for the Form Seven examination compared with 489 in 2018. They were from 11 schools, six from Tongatapu, and five from the Outer Islands, ‘Eua, Ha’apai, Vava’u and Niuatoputapu, This was the highest number of enrolmens since the nationalization of the Tonga National Form Seven Certificate in 2015.  

The Ministry announced that the the overall pass rate of 68% for the Tonga National Form Seven Certificate in 2019.

Tonga High School was the best performing school with a pass rate of 89%.

The most improved school was Beulah College.

The Ministry, however, expressed their concern over a decreasing number of candidates opting for the Sciences, Mathematics and Commerce, compared to other subjects.

“These subjects are highly significant for Higher Education in universities abroad and the Ministry is concerned about this trend and encouraging students to carefully consider their chosen subjects.”

Form Six Examination

 A total of 1377 candidates registered for the Tonga Form Six Certificate 2019 examination, compared with 1248 in 2018. This was also “the highest number of enrolment in this qualification.”

The Ministry noted that for Form Six the overall pass rate was only 38%. “This has been a remarkable drop from the rate of 48% in 2018.”

There was no explanation for the remarkable drop in performance where 854 senior students had failed to reach a satisfactory level of attainment, and could not demonstrate comprehension of their subjects or adequately communicate information and ideas.

On the bright side, Tonga High School was the best performing school in the 2019 TFSC Examinations with a pass rate of 61%. The most improved school was Tailulu College, Vava’u, with a 56% pass rate (a 20% increase from the previous year).

Liahona High School had the most candidates, with 192 registered.