(WCED) adult learner award
26 March 2007
Mr Adam Marais, a 72 year old retired bus driver, is among adult learners
who received awards from the Western Cape Education Department this week.
Mr Marais won an award as the most senior adult learner to pass an Adult
Basic Training and Education (ABET) Level 4 assessment in 2006. The second most
senior ABET Level 4 learners is Mrs Margareth de Jongh, also 72, a community
worker who helps the elderly.
The WCED presented awards to adult achievers at a special ceremony at the
Cape Teaching Institute in Kuils River last week.
The department also presented awards to adult learning centres that achieved
excellent results in the ABET Level 4 and Senior Certificate exams in 2006, and
that improved levels of learner participation last year.
A total of 7 174 adult learners registered for various ABET Level 4 learning
areas in the Western Cape in 2006, of whom 4 938 wrote the exams. This reflects
a turn-out rate of 69,23%, a slight improvement in the turn-out rate for 2005,
which was 68,7%.
Highlights of the 2006 exams include Economics and Management Sciences,
where results improved by 22,2% compared to 2005. This result reflects special
interventions by WCED curriculum planners and ABET centre teams.
The overall pass mark improved slightly in 2006, by 0,03%, compared to 2005.
Meanwhile, the WCED has welcomed a marked increase in the number of adults
entering for the Senior Certificate exams at adult learning centres.
A total of 12 557 matric candidates entered for the matric exams at adult
learning centres in 2006, compared to 11 555 in 2005, an increase of 1 002, or
8,67%. More candidates wrote the exams and passed more subjects than in the
preceding two years.
Said Education MEC Cameron Dugmore: "My congratulations to all those who
have received awards, they are truly an inspiration to all of us. I am
delighted that there has been a marked increase in entries and passes."
"The WCED is committed to ensure access to quality education for all, and I
applaud initiatives like the Each One Teach Ten from our Winelands District
office, which is a plan to build a learning home for all, and encourage growth
and sustainable development.
"These achievements are clearly a sign of quality and depth, as we begin to
roll
out the Human Capital Development Strategy."
Said Mr Ron Swartz, Head of Education in the Western Cape: "We are pleased
that more candidates are prepared to give it a go. Young people are now
realising that matric does provide access to further opportunities in life.
"We now live in an open society with more opportunities for young people
than ever before, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds."
The WCED presented awards to individual learners who wrote ABET Level 4
assessments, in five categories, namely:
* achievers in specific subject categories
* the oldest candidates passing an ABET Level 4 assessment
* the top three candidates who passed eight subjects in October 2006
* the top candidates for the General Education and Training Certificate
* special awards for learners who wrote three or more subjects.
The WCED presented awards to adult learning centres that entered candidates
for ABET Level 4 assessments, in four categories:
* excellence according to a set of criteria
* the top centres for specific subjects
* top centres according to centre focus areas
* centres that have shown the greatest improvement in adult learner
participation.
The department also presented awards to centres that achieved excellent
results in the 2006 Senior Certificate exams, in two categories:
* excellence in three subjects from a specific list
* top centres for specific subjects.
The following is a full list of the WCED's Adult Awards for 2006:
ABET Level 4
Category A: Candidates
1. Top candidates per Specific Learning Areas
English
* Wilfred Godwin Karlse, 52, Voorberg Adult Learning Centre, A symbol (October
2006 assessment)
* Darrel Petersen, 24, Voorberg Adult Learning Centre, A symbol (October 2006
assessment)
* Colleen Webber, 37, Maryland Literacy Project, A symbol (October 2006
assessment)
IsiXhosa
* Xolani Sydwell Mali, 38, Drakenstein Adult Learning Centre, A symbol (October
2006 assessment)
* Vuyisile Mona, 51, Voorberg Adult Learning Centre, A symbol (October 2006
assessment).
Afrikaans
* Pieter Fortuin, 38, Brandvlei Adult Learning Centre, A symbol (October 2006
assessment)
* Howard Vollmer, 38, Malmesbury Adult Learning Centre, A symbol (October 2006
assessment)
* Conrad Johannes Claasen, 35, City of Cape Town, A symbol (October 2006
assessment)
Mathematical Literacy
* Howard Vollmer, 38, Malmesbury Adult Learning Centre, A symbol (October 2006
assessment)
* Wilfred Godwin Karlse, 52, Voorberg Adult Learning Centre, A symbol (October
2006 assessment)
* Gerhard Benjamin, 32, Voorberg Adult Learning Centre A symbol (October 2006
assessment)
Natural Sciences
* Isaac Otto, 30, Brandvlei Adult Learning Centre, B symbol (June 2006
assessment)
* Calvin Olivier, 18, Brandvlei Adult Learning Centre, B symbol (October 2006
assessment).
2. Oldest candidate passing a Level 4 assessment
2.1. Born on 17 August 1934, our most senior ABET level 4 learner is Adam
Jacobus Marais, 72. A bus driver during his working life, this gentleman
attended Eureka Adult Centre, a satellite of Elsies River CLC, that operates in
the Adriaanse Library in Elsies River. He is a very eager learner and although
he only started half way through the year in 2005 at this centre. In 2005 he
had passed two learning areas Human and Social Sciences as well as Ancillary
Health Care. In the October 2006 examination he passed Afrikaans, English, Math
Literature, Natural Sciences and EMSC. He is a true community worker, helping
the elderly with their pension forms and visiting those that are ill. He is
very active and often walks to the centre from Ravensmead where he lives with
his wife.
2.2. Our second most senior ABET level 4 learner is Margareth De Jongh, 72,
from Atlantis Volwasse Onderrig Sentrum. A housewife, she belongs to a club for
the aged. This lady attended Atlantis Adult Centre. She registered for the
learning areas English and Ancillary Health Care in 2006. She is very committed
and hardworking. She is a very down to earth and shy person. She is a true
community worker, helping the elderly in providing them with food and
assistance. She was born on 8 November 1934.
3. Top three learners from public adult learning centres who passed eight
learning areas during the October assessment.
* Melanie Lucille Fransman, 24, St Francis Community Learning Centre, B
symbol (October 2006 assessment)
* Bonita Forbes, 35, Forest Heights Secondary Community Learning Centre, B
symbol (October 2006 assessment)
* Jerome Errol Fortuin, 38, Scottsdene Community Learning Centre, B symbol
(October 2006 assessment).
4. Top learners who achieved the General Education and Training Certificate
(GETC) (DCS)
* Wilfred Godwin Karlse, 52, Voorberg Adult Learning Centre, A symbol
(October 2006 assessment)
* Gerhard Benjamin Jantjies, 32, Voorberg Adult Learning Centre, A symbol
(October 2006 assessment)
* Darrel Petersen, 24, Voorberg Adult Learning Centre, A symbol (October 2006
assessment).
5. Special awards for outstanding candidates who wrote three or more
learning areas (maximum three), but who did not qualify for a GETC in one
sitting.
* Adam Booysen, 27, Witzenberg Community Learning Centre: A symbols in
Afrikaans 85%, Life Orientation 81% and Small, Medium and Microenterprises
(SMME) 81%
* Sipho Paul, 34 years, Brandvlei Adult Learning Centre: A symbols in English
89%, Human and Social Sciences 91% and small-medium micro enterprise (SMME) 84%
* Isaac Otto, 30, Brandvlei Adult Learning Centre: A symbols in English 90%,
Human and Social Sciences 80% and SMME 86%.
Category B: Public Adult Learning Centres (ABET Level 4)
The following awards are based on specific criteria that have been applied
to the ABET Level 4 results of June and October 2006.
1. Excellence according to a set of criteria
Centres that offered opportunities and achieved excellence in the October
2006 assessment, criteria include:
* offered eight or more learning areas during the assessment period
* registered 10 or more candidates per learning area in four or more learning
areas, the rest having at least five candidates registered per learning
area.
* turnout rate of 75% or more in all learning areas.
* pass rates of 80% or more in four learning areas (minimum) and above 70% pass
rates in the rest of the learning areas (to a maximum of eight learning areas
overall)
* no drop in numbers registered from 2004 to 2006
* each centre will receive a certificate and Learning and Teaching Support
material to the value of R2 000.
Centres that offered opportunities and achieved excellence in 2006
assessments are:
Voorberg Adult Learning Centre, in Porterville [Education Management and
Development Centre (EMDC) West Coast/Winelands] offered nine learning areas in
the October 2006 assessment, registering more than 10 learners in nine learning
areas at least five learners in the rest of the learning areas. Their turnout
rate was 75% or more in nine learning areas and they achieved 80% or more pass
rates (distinctions) in six learning areas and between 70% and 79% pass rates
('merit') in three learning areas. This was achieved by also increasing their
numbers from 23 in 2004 to 23 in 2005 to 29 in 2006, an increase of six
learners in two years.
Forest Heights Community Learning Centre, in Eerste River (EMDC East)
offered 13 learning areas in the October 2006 assessment, registering more than
10 learners in nine learning areas with at least five learners in the rest of
the learning areas. Their turnout rate was 75% or more in eight learning areas
and they achieved 80% or more pass rates (distinctions) in seven learning areas
and between 70% and 79% pass rates ('merit') in two learning areas. This was
achieved by also increasing their numbers from 24 in 2004 to 38 in 2005 to 40
in 2006, an increase of 16 learners in two years.
2. Top centres based on pass rates for specific learning areas and the
quality of passes.
In determining winners, pass rates were first looked at, then number of
candidates that passed, quality of passes and turnout rates were also
considered by the selection panel.
Centres receive a certificate and learning and teaching support material to
the value of R2 000 per learning area. The winners are:
English
Helderstroom Adult Learning Centre, Caledon (October assessment): 95,2% turnout
rate and 100% pass rate. Eight candidates received A or B symbols.
Afrikaans
Drakenstein Adult Learning Centre, Paarl (June assessment): 100% pass rate and
100% turnout rate. Seven candidates received A or B symbols.
isiXhosa
Helderstroom Adult Learning Centre, Caledon (October assessment): 88,8% turnout
rate and 100% pass rate. Three candidates received A or B symbols.
Mathematical Literacy
Voorberg Adult Learning Centre, Porterville (October assessment): 100% pass
rate, 92,8% turnout rate. Five received A or B symbols
3. Top centres in electives based on pass rate and the quality of passes
In determining winners, pass rates were first looked at, then number of
candidates that passed, quality of passes and turnout rates were also
considered by the selection panel.
* Ancillary healthcare: City of Cape Town (June assessment): 95,4% pass
rate, 3 received an A or B symbols.
* Applied Agriculture and Agricultural Technology: Koue Bokkeveld Community
Learning Centre, Ceres (October assessment): 92,3% pass rate, two candidates
received an A or B symbols.
* Small medium and micro enterprises: Brandvlei Adult Learning Centre,
Worcester (October assessment): 94,1% pass rate, 32 passed of which 13 received
A or B symbols.
* Tourism: Voorberg Adult Learning Centre, Porterville (October assessment):
100% pass rate, 26 passed of which 15 received A or B symbols.
3. Greatest improvement in participation
The WCED presented this award to centres that reflected the greatest
increase in participation over the period 2004-2006.
Centres must show that they have increased numbers of candidates
participating in at least 4 learning areas, two of which must be Languages and
Mathematical Literacy. They must also demonstrate a satisfactory turnout rate
for examinations in at least four learning areas.
* Drakenstein Adult Learning Centre, Paarl (June assessment): Numbers
increased from two in 2004, three in 2005 and 13 in 2006.
* Worcester Community Learning Centre, Eden (October assessment): Numbers
increased from one in 2004 to two in 2005, and six in 2006
Senior Certificate: Awards for Public Adult Learning centres
The WCED presented awards to centres that performed excellently based upon
the following criteria:
* pass rates above 75% for any three subjects from a specified list of
subjects * quality of passes taken into account
* at least 10 or more candidates writing in each of the three subjects
*no drop in numbers from 2004 to 2006
1. Excellence in terms of three subjects from a specified list
* Malmesbury Adult Learning Centre: average of 98,95% for the top three
subjects and two A or B symbols in the three subjects.
* Portland Community Learning Centre: 97,1% average for the top three subjects
and two A or B symbols in the three subjects.
* Atlantis Volwasse Onderwys Sentrum (AVOS): 94,6% average for the top three
subjects and five A or B symbols in the three subjects.
2. Top centres for specific subjects
Criteria:
* top centres in the following subjects based upon pass rates and number
passing.
* no drop in numbers from 2004 to 2006.
English First Language Higher Grade
Grassy Park Community Learning Centre: 63,9% pass rate, 23 passed.
Afrikaans First Language Higher Grade
Sarepta Community Learning Centre: 75% pass rate, 24 passed.
IsiXhosa First Language Higher Grade
Isibane Adult Learning Centre, 92,9% pass rate, 13 passed
Enquiries
Gert Witbooi
Media Liaison Officer
Tel: (021) 467 2523
Fax: (021) 425 5689
Cell: 082 550 3938
Paddy Attwell
Cell: 083 261 7699
Issued by: Department of Education, Western Cape Provincial Government
26 March 2007
