MBOMBELA – The office of the ANC chief whip, Ms Thandi Shongwe has joined the rest of the province in congratulating the matric class of 2013.
Shongwe, who could not attend the official announcement following the untimely passing of her husband, allowed her office to issue a statement on her behalf.
“The office of the ANC chief whip would like to pause and salute the 2013 matriculants for flying high the Mpumalanga flag by attaining a resounding 78 per cent pass rate.
These results only serves to prove that the ANC-led government is making strides in delivering quality and the best education for our people.
We call upon all those who have passed to make use of all financial aid available in order for them to pursue their careers at various tertiary institutions of their choice,” read part of the statement.
“We would also like to thank parents and pastors who prayed and encouraged children to work hard and most importantly the educators who at times sacrificed their own time to lend an extra hand.
“We want to call upon the class of 2014 to do more than what we have witnessed this year. We hope that our children and parents will take education seriously led.”
Meanwhile, the ruling party in the province has welcomed this year’s provincial matric results pass rate of 77,6 per cent.
According to the ANC’s provincial secretary, Mr Lucky Ndinisa, this is an indication of a massive improvement since the dawn of democracy.
He added that the results are proof enough that MEC Ms Reginah Mhaule and her administration had put a lot of effort in ensuring that the province is ranked among the best performing provinces in the country.
“The ANC declared education as one of its five key priorities last year during the State of the Nation Address by president Jacob Zuma. The increased pass rate is as a result of commitment by the provincial government and the educational department.”
“Furthermore the ANC congratulates educators, parents, the school governing bodies and all other stakeholders for working together to the benefit of the learners in 2013,” said Ndinisa.
He encouraged the class of 2014 to work hard and keep on improving.
“The ANC wishes to advise those learners who have not made it, not to take this as the end of the world but to pursue available opportunities to obtain better pass rates. We encourage them to start in earnest preparing for the year ahead,” he concluded.
