Central Data Catalog

The Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) has been administered annually since 1967. From 2007 onwards, it has been administered by the Botswana Examinations Council to grade 7 (ISCED 1) students in public and private schools.

The PSLE is a low-stake examination that certifies completion of primary education.

Passing the PSLE allows reintegration of out-of-school children and youth into the school system at the next appropriate grade.

The PSLE is a written examination, administered face-to-face and delivered through paper-pencil tests. All test-takers are presented with the same cognitive booklets or tests, which are aligned with the national curriculum.

The PSLE serves the following purposes:

- student certification for completion of primary education

- designing individualised instructional plans

- supporting teachers (training, relevant materials, etc.)

- school or educator accountability

- sub-national level monitoring of learning outcomes

- monitoring education quality levels

- planning education policy reforms

The PSLE accommodates students with special needs, by providing the following arrangements:

- Hearing impairment: sign language; interpretation of questions; modification of language on papers; additional time

- Physical disability: accommodating facilities; rest breaks; additional time

- Emotional disturbance: use of prompters; separate rooms

- Visual impairment: braille; large font; additional time

- Speech language impairment: provision of readers; provision of scribes

- Environmental effect: preferential seats (e.g. students with albinism are not seated directly in direct sunlight)

Census (all students at the given grades or ages)

Results are reported at the student, school, sub-national and national levels. Data are disaggregated by sex, geographic location (urban and rural), major cities and type of school (public and private).

Results are published in reports, which are available in print and online. A database is also accessible online.