DoE MEC, Sibusiso Malaza, holds session with under-performing schools at Ligbron Academy
The MEC will assist schools through his intervention unit, Ayihlome Ifunde, which will focus on the 85 (repeat under performers) schools while the curriculum will remain responsible for the 54 new under performing schools.
Department of Education (DoE) MEC in Mpumalanga, Mr Sibusiso Malaza, held sessions with secondary schools that performed below 70 per cent following the release of the 2018 Grade 12 results on 28 and 29 January.
The MEC convened one-on-one sessions with all 21 underperforming schools within the Gert Sibande District.
Mr Malaza visited Zinikeleni Secondary School in Carolina on Monday, 28 January.
Zinikeleni obtained 58.5 per cent pass rate which was a 4 per cent improvement from the 54.5 per cent in 2017.
However, what was of concern is that the school results have been declining from 91.1 per cent obtained in 2014, to 88.7 per cent in 2015, 83.6 per cent in 2016 and 54.5 per cent in 2017.
More sessions were held at Ligbron Academy of Technology on Tuesday, 29 January.
During the announcement of the 2018 Grade 12 results, Mr Malaza had said the DoE is concerned that there are schools that continuously perform below 70 per cent.
All schools performing below 70 per cent are declared underperforming in terms of section 58 (b) of the South African Schools Act, Act no 84 of 1996 as amended.
“I am going to lead a programme together with all our structures, which will cause our communities to support schools in such a way that there will be no school performing below 70 per cent in all grades and subjects,” Mr Malaza said at the time.
Gert Sibande District had the lowest improvement at 1 per cent in the whole province.
“Had it improved by 2 per cent or 3 per cent today, we will be telling a different story,” Mr Malaza said.
The MEC mentioned Lindile Secondary School during his address, questioning how more than 60 per cent of the learners who sat for the final exam failed.
Lindile was the worst performing school in Msukaligwa circuit one, receiving only a 31.3 per cent pass rate.
The MEC will assist schools through his intervention unit, Ayihlome Ifunde, which will focus on the 85 (repeat under performing) schools while the curriculum will remain responsible for the 54 new under-performing schools.
“No school must be found under-performing at the end of this academic year and the Performance Agreements which will be signed must be aligned to our target and the responsibility to clear the under-performing schools as directed,” Mr Malaza concluded.
