GDE schools in Benoni joined IEB students on the celebratory spoils of their final results yesterday, after it was announced that Gauteng had the highest pass rate in the country at 87.9%.
However, DA Shadow Minister of Basic Education Nomsa Marchesi said nearly half the learners who enrolled in Grade one in 2007, did not write the full-time matric exams in 2018 as they were expected to.
“When we asked the Basic Education Director-General earlier this year how many of these learners actually finished their second batch of exams; he couldn’t tell us,” stated Marchesi.
“If these learners aren’t finishing their exams, they are just being dropped from the system to inflate provincial pass rates.
“We will keep fighting for learners to have the best possible start to adult life, unlike the failing ANC which simply drops struggling learners to inflate their pass rate.”
Not dampening their spirits at MP Marchesi’s announcement, Benoni matriculants excitedly gathered at their respective schools to obtain their matric certificates.
Cameron Brown, a Höerskool Hans Moore matriculant who received a certificate for 100% attendance during his 12-year school career remained calm during the release of the results.
“I’m going straight into work after this,” said Brown, who aspires to pursue a career in Information Technology (IT).
Hans Moore principal Ertjies Hattingh confirmed that the school had a pass rate of 97% with 74 distinctions achieved among his 105 matric pupils.
“Congratulations to all our matriculants of 2018,” said Hattingh.
“We wish you the best of luck for the future.”
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Elsewhere, Mbali Zwane from Benoni High School walked out of the school victorious with mom Thandi beside her as the pair planned Mbali’s future studies in the Western Cape.
“I want to study Molecular Biology at the Stellenbosch University but I’ve also applied to study medicine at the University of Cape Town so we’ll have to see what happens,” said a beaming Zwane.
Deputy principal Alison Knoop congratulated the Benoni High learners, stating that they were thrilled with the school’s 98% pass rate.
“We wish all the learners well in their 2019 studies,” said Knoop.
“Hard work most certainly pays off as they are now reaping the rewards with positive results.”
Benoni Muslim School boasted a 100% pass rate with 43 distinctions achieved among 50 students.
“We are happy with what the learners have achieved,” said deputy principal Moulana Yusuf Asvat.
“We are proud of them and their consistency which is reflected in the results and we wish them well in their future endeavours.”
Deputy principal of William Hills Secondary in Actonville Sharmala Ramaya said the school achieved a 97% pass rate and received 11 distinctions.
“The results are very pleasing and there is an increase in quality compared to last year,” said Ramaya, after an 11% increase in this year’s pass rate.
“We hope to maintain the momentum with the matrics of 2019 as well.”
Unity Secondary School in Daveyton experienced a pass rate of 90.87% while Willowmoore High School joined in on a pass rate of 96.3%.
For more on the IEB and GDE results for Benoni matriculants, don’t miss next week’s issue of the City Times.
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