Ladies and gentlemen, I greet you all.
On Tuesday, 8 October 2013, the first group of our learners doing Computer Applied Technology (CAT) sat for their final practical examination. This represented a milestone in their education after a 12 year period in our schooling system. This also signals a period during which the whole country and people of our province will be looking in anticipation that our young people succeed in their last year in our schooling system.
Indeed, the official countdown to the 2013 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations has begun. As we convene today, there are 18 days left to the writing of the examination that will be written by the biggest number of Grade 12 learners in the country and in our province. It is important that we give our learners, teachers and their schools the support to persevere in the remaining lap of their career in schools.
The National Senior Certificate examinations will officially commence on 28 October and conclude at the end of November 2013. The NSC examinations are one of the major undertakings of the Department of Education. As we continue the countdown, we want to assure the people of KwaZulu-Natal that our government has done everything that is required to run a credible examination process. Our goal is to present an irregularity free examination process.
In this regard, we have ensured that our systems are ready and set up for the task that lies ahead. We would like to assure the people of our province that we have done everything that is required by policy to safeguard the examination process. We shall remain vigilant for the duration of the examination period to ensure that we maintain the integrity of the outcomes.
Enrolment of candidates
For 2013, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education has 150 061 fulltime candidates who have enrolled to write the NSC examinations. This represents an increase of 17 558 more learners compared to 132 503 learners in 2012. This trend has been happening for the past five years of our current government administration. In addition, there are 24 733 candidates who have enrolled on a part time basis. The latter group represents a group of candidates who are given a second opportunity to either improve their previous performance in the NSC, or who may still have an outstanding subject(s) to qualify for the NSC qualification.
The notable increase in the number of learners enrolling for the NSC examinations year on year bears testimony to an education system that is increasing access to learners, as well as ensuring that we increase retention of learners in the system. We are proud of this development and we look forward to ensuring that we provide additional support to our young people to stay in school through other interventions.
Examination Centres
The department has accredited 1 733 centres to conduct the administration of the NSC across the province. The highest number of examination centres are located in the Uthungulu (194) and Zululand (201) districts, these being among the rural districts in our province. It is our view that this further demonstrates a commitment of our government to ensure that access to education is also provided for rural communities.
Appointment of markers
The KwaZulu-Natal Education Department is one of the biggest examination sub-systems in the country. To this extent, the province has appointed 8 426 markers, 1 610 senior markers, 209 deputy chief markers and 79 chief markers. The different layers of markers appointed are to ensure that the quality of marking is maintained. It is also to ensure that marking is conducted in a fair and transparent manner, offering each candidate a fair chance of evaluation and therefore a chance to succeed.
Marking centres
Over the years the department has striven to ensure that the number of marking centres is consolidated. In this regard, 27 marking centres have been selected where marking will take place, reducing them from 31 centres since 2010. This arrangement wills further enhance management capacity of marking centres and contribute to the quality of the marking process.
Learner preparation and support
Whereas the administration processes for the conduct of examinations is important, it is equally important that learners are supported and prepared for the examinations. The department has systematically worked towards ensuring that learners are supported to sit for the NSC examinations. The framework for our interventions and support has been premised on the following:
(i) Need to monitor curriculum implementation and delivery in the classroom to ensure curriculum coverage
(ii) A need to improve the support of all schools
(iii) Targeted attention to specific set of schools in order to raise their performance
(iv) A need to differentiate approaches to support for different classes of schools.
Curriculum Management Strategy
Since 2012, the department has developed a Curriculum Management Strategy to guide curriculum implementation in all schools in the province. The strategy has ensured that teaching and learning remain the primary focus of all components of the department and the system.
Provincial Common Tests
Among the elements that have been introduced to support teaching and learning, has been the administration of the common programme of assessment (tests) in Grades 10-12 in selected subjects. After the analysis of both the first and second quarter tests, the reports were shared with districts to ensure that appropriate remedial interventions in noted areas of challenge could be addressed. Furthermore, learners were exposed to preparatory examinations which prepare them for the final examinations.
Completion of Syllabus
In addition, since 2012, the province declared that all schools are required to complete the syllabus by 31 August each year in order that the subsequent period is used for revision and is targeted.
Operation Scaffold
At the beginning of the 2013 school year, my predecessor in the Portfolio of Education, Premier Senzo Mchunu, introduced a special project called Operation Scaffold. The purpose of the programme was to ensure that all schools in the province with a pass rate of and below 35% in the NSC examinations are eradicated in the province. This programme focused on supporting these schools in ensuring that they could improve on their performance, thereby improve opportunities for their learners to achieve. The reports we have received have demonstrated good progress during the year, which will contribute to the support for their learners.
Matric Intervention Programme
In addition, the department carried out targeted interventions that were directed at Grade 12 learners to ensure that they can be prepared for the examinations. In June 2013, the department ran a dedicated learner camps programme targeted at learners at schools that performed below 60%, and focused at specific subjects that have proven to be problematic.
The matric intervention programme continued in all schools during the spring school holidays and will run up to the writing of the NSC examinations.
Teacher support
I would like to express our appreciation to the commitment and dedication of our teachers during the year which has ensured that our learners are taught and supported. Their contribution and selfless sacrifice to the success of our young people and consequently, our nation cannot be adequately mentioned. We salute them for their fortitude.
Conclusion
As we draw close to the writing of the NSC examinations, we have endeavoured to implement quality improvement processes. These processes have been possible because of the contribution of dedicated personnel in the system. Through their efforts and leadership we can therefore declare that the Department of Education in KwaZulu-Natal is ready to conduct the 2013 National Senior Certificate examination.
We wish all our learners well during the forthcoming examinations. We call on all parents and communities to allow our learners an opportunity and space to study and focus on the examinations in order to make us all proud at the release of the results. Let us all press towards a common mark – Improved Learner Performance in 2013!
Thank you!
