MBOMBELA – Matric results had the province singing to one tune, attesting that Mpumalanga didn’t do bad at all.
The announcement was made at Marapyane, JS Moroka Municipality, by MEC for dducation, Ms Reginah Mhaule.
While congratulating the class of 2016, the EFF voiced their concern with what they identify as the gap between private and public schools.
According to local EFF leader, Mr Collen Sedibe, public schools need to work hard to reach an even higher percentage.
“The Independent Examinations Board has maintained its 98 per cent pass rate over the years, while the public schools have been dwindling around the 70 per cent pass. If the private schools can do it, then so can the public schools.
“The government must ensure support by injecting the right resources into education. We need to aim higher than where we are now,” said Sedibe.
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The DA also congratulated the Class of 2016 and commended the department for their move to progress learners into grade 12 last year. This was with emphasis to their concern that there are over 40 000 schoolchildren who get lost in between the road to matric results.
“The one per cent drop is obviously worrying to us, but we are even more concerned with the number of learners who disappear in the middle of the road to matric. It is said that over 40 000 dropped out between their grade 10 to 12 journey. We ask the department to do something about that, we need to finish with the same number we started with, hence we applaud them for their decision to progress some learners, which was a good move. Most of them actually did well,” said Ms Jane Sithole, DA Mpumalanga spokesperson on education.
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Echoing on the congratulatory words, the ANC encouraged schoolchildren who did not make it to embrace the second chance opportunities provided to them. The party also reiterated that they are committed to supporting both those who made it and those who didn’t.
“We encourage all those who have not made it, not to give up, but make use of all available avenues to further their studies. We call on parents, youth formations and other stakeholders to provide the necessary support to these learners and give them the required information to assist them, whether it be to rewrite grade 12 examinations or further their education.
“We also reaffirm our commitment of working tirelessly with our government and all relevant stakeholders to create a conducive environment for teaching and learning. This commitment we will continue to display in action by our continuous monitoring of schools through our annual school-readiness program, encouraging our members and leaders to participate in school governing bodies (SGB), encouraging all PEC members to adopt a school in their communities and provide it with the necessary support to create a conducive learning environment and to organise ANC-led motivation sessions for all learners and teachers,” said ANC provincial spokesperson, Ms Sasekani Manzini.
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BRA MPL, Mr Cleopas Maunye, says even though they welcome the results, there is still room for improvement.
“We congratulate the MEC and her stakeholders for a job well done, although we still need to work even harder to produce even better results. We, however, have noticed the potential in rural schools. The government needs to give those schools more attention and help develop them. Learners on that side need to be given proper school and sports resources so they can stay away from alcohol and other disturbing activities,” said Maunye.
