targets
23 November 2007
The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) will measure matric results
against targets set earlier this year when the results are announced in
December.
We announced earlier this year that schools were setting targets after
careful analysis of last year's results and consultation with the broad
education community.
For the first time ever, school principals, governing bodies and
Representative Councils of Learners signed commitments during the first term of
2007 to set targets to improve the quality of matric pass rates in the Western
Cape.
This has been a tough year, with the public service strike punching a hole
in the middle of the school year.
However, learners, schools and WCED support staff rallied well after the
strike to catch up, with the help of winter and summer schools, extra classes
after hours and on Saturday mornings, and our radio revision programmes.
It remains to be seen whether the strike has affected matric results.
However, the catch-up programmes may well have helped to improve the results of
those who actively participated, by bringing a special focus to their
studies.
The targets for high schools cover matric endorsement rates, pass rates, and
the number of candidates completing Mathematics and Science on both the higher
and standard grades.
We also asked schools to set targets to reduce the number of learners
dropping out of school. Our matric pass rates do not mean much if large numbers
of learners leave school without completing matric or without proceeding to a
further education and training (FET) college.
We have to commit ourselves to excellence on all levels to grow the people
we need to grow and share the Cape. Targets provide important benchmarks for
measuring our progress.
Meanwhile, the WCED is working with schools on setting targets for
achievement in literacy and numeracy.
An action plan must accompany every set of targets. The plans indicate what
steps will be taken to achieve the targets and could include winter schools,
extra tuition after normal school hours, among other kinds of remedial
action.
The WCED has allocated R1 million to help schools in the nodal zones of
Khayelitsha and Mitchell's Plain to fund special initiatives to meet these
targets, including classes after-hours and related programmes.
The WCED will use the targets to hold all responsible to account, including
WCED management and support staff. In the end, we want the targets to encourage
excellence and to provide clear objectives as we strive to provide quality
education for all.
Short-term targets
The WCED has set short-term targets for 2007, with a view to setting medium
and long-term targets, informed by lessons learnt from this year's
target-setting exercise. These short-term targets include the following:
Grade 12
* Schools that achieved a matric pass rate of below 60 percent in 2006 must
achieve a pass rate of 60 percent in 2007
* Schools that achieved above 60 percent in 2006 must aim for a 10 percent
increase in 2007
* Schools that achieved 90 percent in 2006 are congratulated are encouraged to
pursue improved results for 2007, especially an improved endorsement rate
* All schools should target a 100 percent throughput of learners within Grade
12 and within the Further Education and Training Band.
Focus schools
* Mathematics and Science Focus Schools: per year increase in the school's
enrolment and a 10 percent increase on 2006 in the average mark of Grades 9 and
10 learners in the focus area subjects.
* Arts and Culture Focus Schools: per year increase in the school's enrolment
and a 10 percent increase on 2006 in the average mark of Grades 9 and 10
learners in the focus area subjects.
* Commerce and Business Management Focus Schools: per year increase in the
school's enrolment and a 10 percent increase on 2006 in the average mark of
Grades 9 and 10 learners in the focus area subjects.
Primary schools:
* 100 percent throughput of learners in Foundation Phase, Intermediate Phase
and Senior Phase and
* 10 percent increase per year in literacy and numeracy levels in Grades 3, 6
and 8.
Target basis
Targets must be based on an analysis of each school's results and learner
data for the years 2003 to 2006.
Principals and school management teams were encouraged to consult with all
teachers concerned and convene regular meetings with the staff to monitor and
track progress towards these targets. Circuit managers were asked to facilitate
this process with schools and to assist schools where necessary.
Endorsements
The department asked all secondary schools to develop a three-year strategy
for the improvement in the number of endorsements achieved in the Grade 12
examinations. Given that endorsements depend on subject choice, the WCED noted
that schools needed to develop long-term strategies for improving the number of
endorsements.
Schools finalised their targets by 30 March 2007. Targets for the following
years should be set each November.
Enquiries: Paddy Attwell
Cell: 083 261 7699
Gert Witbooi
Cell: 082 550 3938
Issued by: Department of Education, Western Cape Provincial Government
23 November 2007
