Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane at the occasion of the 2013 matric results
Programme Director,
MEC Creecy and Members of the Gauteng Executive Council,
The Chairperson of the Education Portfolio Committee in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature;
Members of the Provincial Legislature here present;
Officials from the Gauteng Department of Education,
School Principals, Teacher Unions, School Governing Bodies, Educators, Parents and Learners,
Student and Youth representatives,
The Business Community,
Partners and Stakeholders in Education,
Members of media,
Ladies and gentlemen.
It was the generation of giants from our Liberation Struggle who boldly shouted to the world that South Africa belongs to all who live in it. This generation committed that once freedom reigns supreme in our land; that there shall be housing security and comfort. Importantly, ladies and gentlemen; this generation declared that once a government of the people by the people took over power, that the doors of learning and culture shall be opened to all.
In fact, it was Nelson Mandela, one of the foremost spokespeople of this selfless generation, who said: “Education is the great engine of personal development. It is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor, that a son of a mineworker can become the head of the mine; that a child of farm workers can become the president of a great nation. It is what we make out of what we have, not what we are given, that separates one person from another.”
As a province, we have continuously been guided by this type of thinking when we look at the education of our children. We have invested billions over the past 20 years in ensuring that the dreams of the young people of this province are given adequate support to grow and flourish.
We have come a long way from our calls that the Doors of Learning Shall be Open. The South African history for equal education is indeed one that we should not forget because we are still living with the remnants of the separate and unequal education policies from our past.
Correcting the mistakes of the past, however, includes ensuring that all learners do well at school and leave our institutions with the values, knowledge, skills and qualifications that will give them the best chance of success in their adult lives. Today we celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2013 and we are here to say to our young people that You Have made Us Proud.
The Gauteng Provincial Government takes pride in all the learners who sat for the 2013 matric exams. Gauteng has seen a steady improvement with its annual matric results and this evoked a special mention from the SA Institute for Race Relations in its December 2013 statistical report that in South Africa, it is Sedibeng that has the highest proportion of people aged 20 years and older with a Grade 12.
It, therefore, comes as no surprise that the same report indicates that Gauteng has the biggest proportion of households in the highest income bracket. In order to ensure that Gauteng continues to produce these results, we will continue our investment in the Foundation and Senior Primary education. In 2013, Gauteng registered 2,123 708 learners for Grade R and thereby exceeding its own target for Grade R registrations. 110 000 Learners from across all grades received a school uniform free of charge, while 1.2 million learners from Grade R up to Grade 12, are benefitting from the school nutrition programme.
The needs of girl learners from disadvantaged communities remain a critical area that the Gauteng Provincial Government supports. To this end, 200 000 dignity packs are earmarked for distribution during this financial year. The safety of our learners is also receiving attention with 4 500 school safety patrollers recruited in the past year, in order to ensure conducive learning environments across the province.
Ladies and gentlemen, we remain steadfast to the promise made by President Jacob Zuma at the June 2009 joint sitting of the National Council of Provinces and the National Assembly, when he said that: “Education will be a key priority for the next five years.
We want our educators, learners and parents to work with government to turn our schools into thriving centres of excellence”. The Gauteng Department of Education is therefore, continuously assessing and monitoring our under-performing schools.
In support of those schools, 4 300 homework assistants and 4 000 sports assistants were provided. These support mechanisms are paying off and this can be seen through the overall improvements for Grade 3, Grade 6 and Grade 9 learners as reported in the Annual National Assessment (ANA).
We honour the legacies of Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu and Nelson Mandela, when we afford the required resources to ensuring that the Doors of Learning and culture are Open. Awards will once again be made to our matriculants for much needed financial support. Our Top 3, Grade 12 learners will be awarded with bursaries and we will again allocate bursaries to Grade 12 learners from no-fee schools.
This year, we will award a record number of 4 000 bursaries to Grade 12 learners from no-fee schools. We encourage our learners to take up these opportunities, as well as the large number of bursary opportunities that the private sector is making available.
Distinguished guests, it is important to remember that Gauteng is the most populous region of South Africa and the hub of the nation’s economy. It is progressive, Afropolitan and it attracts people from every province and from all over the world; making it the most diverse region in the country. It is here, where Gauteng’s learners will need to compete against the best that South Africa, Africa and often the world; has to offer.
As a result, the pass rate of Grade 12 learners in the Province has an impact on both the country and Africa as a whole because Gauteng has a big role to play in the success of Africa’s knowledge-economy. The endeavours of our Grade 12 learners consequently impact the creation of our knowledge-economy in a fundamental way.
It therefore becomes critical that we; and especially the private sector continuously, support these learners as they make their journey through the institutions of higher learning and beyond.
The Gauteng Provincial Government recognises the collective efforts of parents, teachers, school governing bodies, teacher associations and government in attaining a convincing provincial pass of 87%. This achievement is made sweeter when we review our overall pass rate in Maths at 74%, Maths Literacy at 94% and our overall pass rate in Science at 76%.
It is important to note that the number of learners from township schools who passed Maths and Science with 100% increased from 1 leaner in 2012 to 4 learners in 2013. We also proud of the fact that schools performing below 60% decreased from 84 schools in 2012 to only 43 schools in 2013.
Take a bow Class of 2013, as we applaud your hard work and dedication. You have made us proud. You deserve to be given a space to celebrate your success. Our story of 20 years of democracy can tell that the future is much brighter.
Lastly, I would like to thank the parents, the community and the MEC and her team for appreciating that the education of an African child can no longer be postponed. MEC Creecy, your passion and commitment to this call has not gone unrecognised and is paying dividends.
Thank you.
For more information:
Thebe Mohatle, Premier’s spokesperson
Cell: 082 373 1146
