Oral question 25
Prince M M M Zulu (IFP-KZN) to ask the Minister of Basic Education:
(1) Whether her department has considered implementing measures in concurrence with schools to address the (a) high failure rate and (b) poor pass rate of matriculants in the country; if not, why not; if so, what measures;
(2) Whether she will make a statement on the matter?
Answer
(1)
(a) Yes, the Department of Basic of Education launched the Rapid Assessment and Remediation Intervention (RARI) programme in January 2010. The RARI programme specifically targets those schools that achieved below 20 percent in the 2009 National Senior Certificate Examinations.
The provincial Departments of Education developed plans to assist these schools. The plans have been presented to the Department of Basic Education (DBE). The DBE and the provincial Departments of Education will monitor and support these schools. PDEs provide quarterly progress reports on their plans to the DBE for monitoring and evaluation and to ensure that the plans are implemented effectively.
(b) The department has analysed existing data within the system as well as the pass rate of the matric learners and developed a plan to improve performance of the 2010 matriculants. The data analysed suggests that the largest number of schools performed between 40 to 60 percent. The plan is therefore targeted at these schools.
Information derived from the survey conducted on the underperforming schools indicated that the biggest challenges are around textbooks, teacher development and management issues. The plan was therefore structured around these challenges and focuses on the following four pillars:
* Teaching and learning
* Ensuring basic functionality at schools
* Community mobilisation
* District development and support.
The department will develop guideline documents for teachers, learners, parents, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other community structures to assist with defining roles and responsibilities and assisting the community to assist schools with their challenges.
(2) Yes, the minister and Director-General have made statements and will continue to make statements at the appropriate time.
Issued by: Department of Basic Education
1 June 2010
Source: Department of Education (http://www.education.gov.za/)
