HAZYVIEW – Mpumalanga’s 2013 matric pass rate increased by 7,6 per cent from the previous year, with over 77 per cent of candidates passing.
Bhavika Minstry from Hoërskool Hoogenhout in Bethal was the top-achieving learner in Mpumalanga. Shane van der Hoven of Hoërskool Nelspruit was the third best matric achiever in the province.
The Mpumalanga Department of Education honoured the province’s best and brightest pupils at a ceremony at the protea Hotel on Tuesday.
The venue was filled to the brim and the speakers had everyone hanging on their lips. The premier of Mpumalanga, Mr David Mabuza, the MEC for education, Ms Reginah Mhaule and the head of the Mpumalanga Department of Education, Ms Mahlasedi Mhlabane, addressed the guests.
Mhaule announced that the province had a pass rate of 77,6 per cent which is a 7,6 per cent improvement from 2012. In Mpumalanga 50 053 pupils wrote the exams, with 38 836 passing. She was proud of the fact that all districts had achieved a pass rate above 70 per cent.
Ehlanzeni District had the highest pass rate with 82,8 per cent.
The first person to be awarded for diligence was Ms Annah Msimango (60). She was declared the best adult learner in the country at a national awards ceremony on September 6 in Boksburg. She will be continuing her schooling this year.
Sibusiso Judas Mudala, a blind learner, passed grade 12 despite many difficulties and received a full bursary from the Mpumalanga Department of Education. He has received provisional admission at the University of Limpopo.
The premier addressed the guests and thanked everyone, from government officials and teachers to traditional leaders and parents, for helping pupils throughout the year.
The presentation of awards started with trophies to schools that achieved a 100 per cent pass rate. Twenty five schools qualified and the 15 schools with more than 30 grade 12 pupils each received a trophy. Schools included Hoërskool Nelspruit, Hoërskool Sybrand van Niekerk and Beacon College.
Eighteen learners performed brilliantly and received full marks or between 285 and 300 out of 300 for a subject. They each received a trophy, laptop and a few other products as reward. Simon Thulani Chill from KwaNdabele Science Combined School obtained 100 per cent in both physical sciences and mathematics and Sibusiso Comfort Khoza from Sidlamafa Secondary School near Malalane received full marks in both physical sciences and life sciences, as well as 299 out of 300 marks in mathematics.
Hoërskool Nelspruit scooped up several awards. Besides having a 100 per cent pass rate for the second consecutive year (230 out of 230 pupils passing matric), they also had the most distinctions for the second consecutive year. Pupils received 464 distinctions, which made up 4,2 per cent of the province’s total distinctions. They joined the Club 100, with 128 pupils writing maths and 124 passing with 50 per cent or more.
Eight teachers received trophies for the best pass rate and achievements in their different subjects. Maths, physical science, accounting, business studies and English first additional language teachers stepped onto the stage to receive their awards.
Hoërskool Lydenburg received the trophy for maths literacy and Hoërskool Secunda for life sciences.
Hoërskool Nelspruit was awarded a trophy, photocopier and the principal received a laptop for being the best school in the province.
Lastly, the overall top achiever in the province was announced. Bhavika Mistry from Hoërskool Hoogenhout ascended the stage with a look of utter surprise on her face. She received six distinctions with an average mark of 93,8 per cent. She was astounded when the keys to a brand-new Toyota Etios was handed to her. The MEC announced that Mpumalanga was the only province to give their top pupil a car.
The top 10 pupils received a trophy, laptop, a smartphone and a host of other great products. The top 10 were Bhavika Mistry (Hoërskool Hoogenhout), Dian Kemp (Hoërskool Generaal Hertzog), Shane van der Hoven (Hoërskool Nelspruit), Relebogile Mashile (Lekete High School), Alzette Stapelberg (Hoërskool Piet Retief), Knowledge Mokoena (Sibusisiwe Secondary), Sibusiso Khoza (Sidlamafa Secondary), Sylvester Mashile (Lekete), Ntokozo Ngwenya (Eastdene Combined School) and Banele Mhlongo (Mahushe School).
The MEC mentioned that the department will now be striving for an increase of 10 per cent in the province’s pass rate and urges pupils to work hard in 2014.
