THREE schools in Limpopo received a 0% matric pass rate for 2014.
This was announced during a ceremony in Polokwane yesterday (Tuesday) during which the province’s top matriculants were announced and awarded.
Premier Stanley Mathabatha said he was embarrassed by the dismal performance of the three schools, which were Makidi Secondary School and Sethula Secondary School, both in Sekhukhune, and Seroletshidi Secondary School in Waterberg.
He instructed education MEC, Thembi Nwendamutswu, to reshuffle senior managers in the Sekhukhune and Waterberg districts.
“I was also disappointed by a union leader who was heard on a local radio station saying that Limpopo’s target of an 80% matric pass rate was just a pipe dream. That is an insult to us.
“We set our target high because we are not mediocre. We are improving because in 1994, we were at 30% and now we have reached 72,9%,” Mathabatha said.
Education acting head of department, Martin Mashaba said to improve the matric pass rate, the department planned to give extra lessons to the learners in poor performing schools. “Our intervention is starting now. Curriculum advisors will be going to the relevant circuits to give support,” he said.
The two top learners in the province, Johan Kruger (18) and Julia Alsemgeest, both from Hoërskool Pietersburg, each received seven distinctions.
Johan said he planned to study medicine at the University of Pretoria. He thanked his parents for their support while he was studying.
Julia said she was going to study actuarial science at the University of Pretoria.
“My parents told me to believe in myself and everything will be possible. I want to add value to the economy of South Africa,” she said.
