Local government congratulates matric class of 2017
Local government wishes to encourage those young people who did not pass to not despair.
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The South African Local Government Association (SALGA) congratulates the matric class of 2017 following the Department of Basic Education’s announcement of the improved national pass rate from 72.5% in 2016 to 75.1%.
SALGA and the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) President, Parks Tau described the success of the 2017 matriculants as a milestone that marks the beginning of the youngsters’ journey to become positive contributors in the South African economy.
“Well done to all our children. It is now the time for all of us – parents, leaders in political offices, government and the private sector – to encourage and support our young people to study further at either technical colleges, universities, online higher education institutions, or even to become entrepreneurs,” said Tau.
“Local government also offers ample career opportunities, and as a sector we encourage all those who passed their matric to consider a career in civil or public service and contribute in building better municipalities and subsequently a better country.
Local government wishes to encourage those young people who did not pass to not despair, but to immediately look for opportunities to rewrite subjects or enrol to repeat matric.
It is also important to make our children aware that not all successful people passed their matric the first time they wrote it. However, their will to succeed and not giving up on their set goals led them to their success,” said Tau.
“The matric results came at a time when we are all still settling into the New Year, and therefore the local government sector wishes to encourage all grade 12 pupils – those of 2017 and the new class of 2018 – to see the beginning of the year as an opportunity to start over and excel. We wish all of them the best with their respective endeavours.”