Only 27% of the 1,970 registered Form Five students passed the Tonga School Certificate (TSC) last year, the Ministry of Education and Training announced, releasing the 2019 results to schools on 13 January.

This is less than compared to 2018 where only 33% of 2,039 students passed. The students were from 30 schools, including 14 from Tongatapu and 16 from the outer islands.

The standard pass is based on students passing English plus three best subjects at achieved grades.

Tonga High School was the best performing school with an 86% pass rate. It also had the most consistent improvement rate since 2016.

St Joseph Community College was the most improved school with a 31% pass rate.

Liahona High School had the most candidates, with 233 enrolled in the TSC.

The pass rate for 2019 has been less than 50% for most of the major examination levels including the Secondary School Entrance Exam, Tonga School Certificate, and Tonga Form Six Certificate 2019.

However, Form Seven students fared better with 68% passing the Tonga National Form Seven Certificate.