JOHANNESBURG – Celebrations galore as Gauteng Province took the number one spot in the country with 84.7 per cent matric pass rate with the overall 75.8 per cent.
The Class of 2014 is the first to write the final examination that is Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statements (CAPS) aligned.
Gauteng Premier David Makhura and Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi announced the Province’s 2014 National Senior Certificate results at Linder Auditorium (Wits) on Tuesday January 6. They were accompanied by among others; Johannesburg Executive Mayor Cllr Parks Tau, Basic Education Minister Angie Motsekga, West Rand Mayor Cllr Mpho Nawa, GDE HOD Boy Ngobeni and Tshwane Mayor Cllr Kgosientso Ramokgopa.
In his welcoming speech, HOD Boy Ngobeni, said the 2.3 per cent drop is not necessary a drop considering the Class of 2014 wrote under CAPS. This is a new curriculum. He also thanked everyone who was involved in the Province’s victory. “Gauteng is beyond the state of comparison that’s why we are not competing with other provinces. We are here to validate the greatness of this province. Everyone’s hard work is very important including teachers, SGBs, learners and other stakeholders. We are number one in the country because of quality,” he said.
MEC Panyaza Lesufi echoed Mr Ngobeni’s sentiments. He said, “We serve our people with loyalty, however, above all we are the servants of the people. The United Nations declared our matric enrichment programme Secondary School Improvement Programme (SSIP) as the best in the world. Our HOD was voted the Best Head of Department in the country and the Institute of Race Relations has just announced Gauteng’s education quality as the best.
“I’m humbled by the Class of 2014, also thank you Ms Barbara Creecy, former MEC, for the solid foundation and the vision she laid for us. I must also emphasise that any school found guilty of cheating will be de-registered as examination centres, the HOD and his team are still investigating. To those who didn’t make it, we will support them and give them any necessary help.”
Premier Makhura was pleased with the results. “We are starting this year with a bang. Though we were aiming for 90 per cent, 84.7 per cent is the benchmark for 2015. As number Province we need serious teachers, principals and learners. So if you are not serious please try somewhere else, not here. We want to compete with the best in the world. For those who didn’t make it, it is not the end of the world, you can still rewrite. Best achievers in the world know how to handle failure, your time will come, learn to handle setbacks.
Johannesburg South was announced as the Most Improved District.
Some of Johannesburg South High Schools’ results in percentages:
Hoërskool Die Fakkel – 82.8
Hoërskool President – 96.6
Forest High – 87.0
Abbotts College Johannesburg South – 91.5
Mondeor High – 96
Sir John Adamson High – 97.3
Diversity High – 91.1
Glenvista High – 98.5
Horizon International High – 100
The Hill High – 91
Verney College – 100
