Our core mandate as the department is to provide learning and teaching in our schools. Oliver Tambo once said: “A nation that does not take care of its youth and education has no future”.
Planning Minister Trevor Manuel has called on the government to strengthen its partnership with the public for the good of democracy. And I want to add that partnerships in education must assist in improving its quality.
The presidential infrastructure development commission says infrastructure is critical to unlock economic opportunities and promote job creation. There is no doubt that the construction of this school has strengthened the social cohesion. Education is one thing that can break the circle of poverty that continues to condemn millions of our people to a life without hope.
Programme Director
Fhundzo ndi tshitangu (Education is a shield). A brief background about the school is necessary as it will highlight the importance of partnerships.
The principal testified that before these new buildings conditions at this school were not conducive to learning. It is also true that the matric results changed for the better from 38% in 2009 to 84% last year. This increase is in part linked to the improvements in the new school buildings. The construction altered the school from a rural learning facility to a pioneering educational and community centre.
Programme Director
We are here to officially open the state of the art school. The community, the principal, teachers and the learners are the custodians of this institution. We are leaving these beautiful buildings in your hands. Happy is the community that respects and treasures its resources.
Let me state this fact programme director that challenges will erupt here and there as we live and work together. My appeal to the community of Gogogo and everybody here is to please develop positive problems solving mechanisms. Whatever the differences in the school or the community let that not affect learning and teaching. Resolve your differences in a manner that leaves education undisturbed.
Programme Director
The Diagnostic report of the National Development Plan, the vision the South Africa wants to be in 2030 has put critical emphasis on education. It talks about improvements in literacy, numeracy and science. It also wants to increase the number of learners to universities doing degrees in Maths and Science.
It coincides with one of the national outcomes of our government in the Medium Term Strategic Framework that talks about improving the quality of basic education. The report says only 77% of high school learners in South Africa complete high school education as compared to 93% in the United Kingdom. Research has also shown that there are more learners at lower level of schooling who do not complete their education.
Programme Director
We have come to this region in the middle of quarterly tests written by our learners and matriculants are preparing for their trial examinations. In the same vein let those preparations to also be towards the final examinations.
It is twelve years since our matriculants started schooling and this is the year to reap the fruits of the past 12 years. Writing matric examination is not an event but has been a process of the past 12 years as you were preparing for this year. We strongly believe that you will do us proud just like your predecessors. And remember this year’s target is 75%.
Programme Director
We all know for a fact that LTSM is a critical component to providing successful curriculum. There won’t be any schooling if there are no learning, teaching and support materials. I would like to make it known that the ordering of books has been done and that delivery is expected soon.
The ANA examinations are starting on 10 September 2013. We have not done well as the province in terms of Annual National Assessment (ANA) results. I appeal to teachers to identify the challenges and improve on them so as to reach the anticipated annual target of 60% in 2014.
As you are aware the admission for 2014 academic year has commenced, I expect you to make sure that by the end of October the process is complete. Let us go out and conscientise our communities about early registration of their children.
Once more I would like to thank everybody who contributed to the successful of this project.
Ndi a livhuwa! Ke a leboga! Inkomu!
