28 December 2006
The results we are announcing today mark a significant milestone in our
national effort to build an inclusive people-centred education system which has
a key role in transforming society, bringing about social equity, and
contributing to the country's growth and development.
The matric class of 2006, started schooling in 1994 as the same time as we
ushered democracy and reform in our country. They experienced tremendous change
as a racially based education system was transformed and replaced with
non-racial system that encouraged them to embrace diversity and respect
individual human rights.
At the time that this class started schooling former State President Nelson
Mandela articulated our government's vision of a new education system and he
said: "We must invest substantial amounts in education and training and meet
our commitment to introduce free and compulsory education for a period of at
least 9 years. Everywhere we must reinculcate the culture of learning and of
teaching and make it possible for this culture to thrive."
This was immediately followed by a number of policy changes including the
school nutritional feeding scheme, the school building programme, the campaign
for effective learning and teaching and a new curriculum.
Today we celebrate those young men and women and their teachers who took
full advantage of the opportunities presented by the new democratic
dispensation to embrace education as a way to escape from the poverty trap and
contribute towards the growth and development of our province.
The matriculants we are honouring here today represent a few of the most
outstanding examples of young people who are prepared to work hard for their
future. We give congratulation to young men and women who have made not only
their families, but the whole nation, proud of the success they have achieved.
As we do so we must give deserved recognition to the teachers whose selfless
sacrifices have made these results possible. These are the unsung heroes and
heroines who seek neither glory nor recognition in making their contribution
towards ensuring that we realise of our objective of developing healthy,
skilled and productive people.
The 2006 matric results have shown a 3,45% increase in the overall pass rate
from 74,9% in the previous to 78,35%. This pass rate is an above the target of
78% that had been set for this class and it is very significant considering the
declines of 1,82% in 2005 and 4,75% in 2004.
The number of learners that passed with endorsement has also marginally
increased from 21,10% to 23,20% reflecting a qualitative improvement in the
pass rate.
A total of 21 607 distinctions were obtained in various subjects with girl
learners achieving a greater number of these distinctions than male learners.
The number of schools that performed extremely well with pass rates over 90%
have improved from 213 in 2005 to 283 in 2006. Ninety schools achieved 100%
pass rates.
Forty one more schools entered this elite category and we say
congratulations to them.
Despite tremendous socio-economic challenges experienced in rural and farm
schools, learners in these facilities have improved their results from a pass
rate 67,64% to 73,98%.
At the beginning of the 2006 school year, a total of 70 schools were placed
under a special intervention programme because of poor results obtained in 2
995. It is encouraging to note that 78,6% (55) of those schools showed an
improvement.
These results show very clearly that we are succeeded in creating a culture
of learning and teaching that Nelson Mandela talked about. However there are
schools that continue to disappoint.
Underperforming schools, who achieved a pass rate of below 50% will have to
present a plan by the end of January next year detailing what will be done to
improve pass rates. District offices will also have to present a report on
schools that had a pass below 25%. A decision will have to be made on whether
such grossly underperforming schools should continue to exist as institutions
of learning.
Once again congratulation to all
Issued by: Office of the Premier, Gauteng Provincial Government
28 December 2006
Source: SAPA
