DA raises concerns over said readiness of Edu dept
Despite the Education Department declaring its readiness for the examinations, the DA has issued a press release in which they highlighted several concerns.
POLOKWANE – A total of 110 557 full-time Gr 12 and 20 975 part-time learners have started with their Senior Certificate Exams.
The DA highlighted several points in the statement, among which:
• that Limpopo has over 1 210 unqualified educators.
• R21.4 billion infrastructure backlog.
• Teachers being absent from work.
• Low pass rate targets.
Education Spokesperson Dr Naledzani Rasila, commented on several of the matters
“We do not appoint under-qualified teachers, but continue to train our teachers through our three centres including Mastec, Makhado and Tivumbeni.”
He said the department was not experiencing any challenges in terms of teacher human resources.
Rasila conceded the infrastructure budget demands are high but that maintenance and repairs on damaged schools will be done in increments.
“We build state-of art schools, but the challenge is to grow with learner numbers each year. We are dedicated to do our best and provide in the infrastructure needs that learners deserve,”Rasila said.
Along with preparations for the final exam, the department has upgraded security measures with regard to the transportation of examination papers.
“We are confident that there will be no leaks of exam papers. In the case where someone is making themselves guilty of this, we as the department will not only take disciplinary action against them, but will also be opening a criminal charge.”
He wished learners all the best of luck for the exams.
The provincial results will be announced on 6 January 2017.
Read more:
‘Ready, steady and go for 2016 final exams’
