According to Khume Ramulifho MPL, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Education, while the pass rate is much lower than MEC Panyaza Lesufi’s target of a 90 per cent, the province deserves recognition for claiming the top three and joint fifth districts in the country.
“Education opens doors for opportunities to build a better life, and Gauteng requires knowledgeable and skilled people to advance economic development to improve quality of life,” he said.
“Yet, while successfully passing matric may be the building blocks of a better life, further study is necessary to make that dream a reality – and the MEC now needs to focus attention on improving the 34.4 per cent bachelor’s pass rates.”
The DA believes that, to achieve this, it is important to ensure that the quality of matric passes are spread across the board, across all quintile schools.
“In the past, we observed that quintile five bachelor passes exceeded all those in quintiles one to four combined, and the MEC and his department now have to take the responsibility to improve the quality of education to all learners – and reduce societal inequalities,” Ramulifho said.
Although the MEC acknowledged the necessity to improve learner retention in the senior secondary phase, according to Ramulifho, it remains to be seen how the department will do this.
“The DA will submit written questions to the MEC, asking him to provide us with detailed responses on how the department will address these challenges, as well as further details of the districts which performed at below average and the performance per individual schools,” he added.
”The DA thanks all learners, teachers, principals and parents for their dedication and commitment during the past year.
“We wish those facing supplementary exams and those who have chosen to repeat the year the very best of success going forward.” – @IschkeBoksburg
