Tsakani – Former MEC for education, Panyaza Lesufi, has called for one examination for all matriculants.
He was speaking during the Quality Learning and Teaching Campaign (QLTC) last Thursday at Tsakani Community Hall.
Lesufi said he wants scrap out the two matric examinations.
“IEB has less than 15 000 learners that write the exam while about 900 000 learners sit for the national certificate.
“The 15 000 get to write and receive their results first because they are a few.
“This gives them the advantage to apply for funding opportunities and tertiary placement first, especially for critical skills.
“It’s time that we all start and finish at the same time,” he stated.
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He argued that the IEB and national senior certificate follows the same curriculum and assessment requirements, including the minimum pass rate of 30%.
Lesufi also called for the appointment of school principals to be reviewed.
“The majority of our schools are being led by acting principals. A good school stands or falls on a good leader. In the absence of a leader there’s no school,” he said.
Lesufi added that school governing bodies must continue to play a meaningful role in the appointment of school leaders.
“But that should be 10% and the 90% must be made of professionals like principals, people with academic credentials and understands the education system,” he said.
The MEC also touched on restoring order in the classrooms, stating that learners must have an attendance of 80% and must have completed 90% of the curriculum assessments to be allowed to sit for exams.
Community members are urged to stop vandalising school property and stealing school equipment meant to benefit learners.
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