WHITE RIVER – The MEC for education, Ms Reginah Mhaule, could not contain her excitement when she officially announced the 2013 grade 12 results in the presence of the premier Mr David Mabuza.
The province, with a 77,6 per cent pass rate, marking an improvement of 29,7 since 2009, only fell short of 2,4 per cent to meet the target of 80 per cent which the department set last year in January.
Mhaule said that the department had worked around the clock as she promised on the occasion of the announcement of the 2009’s low 47,9 pass rate results that they would spare no effort in collaborating with all stakeholders in the delivery of educational outcomes which would yield positive impetus towards the development of society.
“In 2010 I signed a delivery agreement promising the premier that among other things the department will endeavour to improve the quality of teaching and learning and these results are indeed a product of that agreement and depict a manifestation of progress made in taking that process forward,” indicated Mhaule.
According to her, the steady improvements in the performance of all the districts, with each achieving a 10 per cent improvement, was a huge encouragement for the whole department.
Of the four districts, Ehlanzeni has recorded the highest pass rate, obtaining 82,8 per cent followed by Nkangala with 77,5 per cent. In third position is Gert Sibande which achieved 76,4 per cent with Bohlabela once again in the last position with 72 per cent, an improvement of 43,8 per cent since 2009.
The class of 2013 saw an improvement in the number of learners with distinctions from 9 187 in 2012 to 11 104.
“This confirms that these results not only improved in quantity but also in quality which is an improvement we intend to work towards sustaining this trend,” added the overjoyed MEC.
The MEC attributed her department’s success to the premier Mabuza’s support saying that he wasn’t easy to please but always available to help where he was needed.
“The honourable premier would always send us back when he was not satisfied with our performance and now we understand why he did what he did,” she said.
Mhaule also expressed gratitude to the teachers who worked tirelessly in ensuring that learners take a step further towards fulfilling their dreams.
While she congratulated all learners who made it, she also urged those who did not make it for the first time to give it another shot while those who qualify for supplementary examination were encouraged to register at their respective schools to write these exams in February.
“The department has established a trauma counselling line to assist parents, learners and teachers who may require psychological support at this time.
This line is accessible by dialling 071-729-4222 and I encourage communities to take advantage of this facility in order to address emotional related issues that have to do with these results,” she concluded.
