There has been an improvement in this year’s Secondary School Entrance Examination with 51% of students passing their exams, compared to 43% in 2019, the Ministry of Education and Training announced yesterday.

Out of 115 primary schools in Tonga (102 Government Primary Schools and 13 Mission Primary Schools), 2,785 students sat English, Mathematics, Science, and Tongan language exams. They came from 111 schools, including 56 on Tongatapu and 55 on outer islands.

More students passed three subjects, English 34% (26%-2019), Mathematics 59% (34% in 2019), and Science 59% (58% in 2019), while fewer students passed Tongan language 60% (73% in 2019).

Students from Vava’u and Niuatoputapu had a higher pass rate than students from Tongatapu, Ha’apai, ‘Eua and Niuafo’ou, but all had improved overall.

The pass rate results include Vava‘u 59% (51%-2019), Niuatoputapu 56% (48%-2019), Tongatapu 50% (47% - 2019), Ha‘apai 47% (32%-2019),  ‘Eua 36% (30%-2019), and Niuafo‘ou 23% (15%-2019).

Meanwhile, the Ministry said the top mark was 369 out of 400, with 309 marks being the cut-off mark to Tonga High School.

Students from a wide range of places across Tonga passed with “emerging new contenders in particular to Tonga High School”.

Pass rate improved from the western region including the villages of Fatai, Te‘ekiu, Ha‘alalo, Kanokupolu, Houma, Kahoua and Kolovai. New additions from the eastern region include Vaini, Beulah Primary School, Tu‘aliku ‘o Pilolevu, Malapo, Holonga and Navutoka.

And students from Utungake, Liviela and Fangatongo in Vava‘u, and Hihifo and Pangai in Ha‘apai, also passed as well as ‘Ohonua, ‘Eua and Falehau in Niuatoputapu.