Assessing Learning Achievement Nationwide

As far as secondary education is concerned, in the Grade IX examinations, pass rates increased from 47% to 71% between 1998 and 1999, in part due to the need for selecting Grade IX students for an increased number of Grade X places. In 1998, provincial pass rates varied significantly ranging from 31–37% (in Kompong Chnang and Kompong Cham) up to 63–75% (in Pursat and Stung Treng). These provincial variations are a consequence of the relative availability of Grade X places. Drawing any further conclusions regarding overall quality improvement would be problematic.

For the Grade XII examinations, the overall pass rate has increased from around 70% in 1994 to around 79% in 1998/99. Once again there are wide provincial variations and significant urban/rural inequities. For example, 88% of students passed in Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville compared to only 42% in Kompong Speu, while none of the Kep candidates passed the examinations. The remote provinces have very few candidates, but performance varied dramatically ranging from a 12% pass rate in Ratanakiri to a rate of 70% in Preah Vihear. The leveling of pass rates may indicate that the improved central management and moderation of the Grade XII examination is beginning to provide a consensus on performance standards, which in the medium term will assist better quality assurance and performance and monitoring.