Honourable Speaker of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL), Ms Ntombi Mekgwe, extends well wishes to all Gauteng learners ahead of the schools' reopening tomorrow (Wednesday, 13 January 2016).
As the school year commences, many learners will be entering the basic education system for the first time, others progressing to new grades and unfortunately some repeating the same grades as last year. Also among the thousands of learners returning to school are those that will be registering for matric for 2016.
Honourable Mekgwe wishes to remind all Gauteng learners, regardless of their grades, that learning and preparation for final exams begins now. It all starts with every learner ensuring that they are present for all classes, do their homework as expected, and respect and work with teachers as they provide information in the classroom.
The Honourable Speaker further calls on all teachers in the Province to rededicate themselves to being in the classroom as expected of them, ensuring that learners are taught. Parents are also urged to continue to encourage and support their children, as well as take part in all activities of School Governing Bodies in order to ensure that the culture of quality teaching and learning is preserved in the Province. Honourable Mekgwe urges all these stakeholders to play their role in ensuring that education is treated as a societal priority.
Furthermore, the Honourable Speaker wishes to reiterate the congratulatory message to the Gauteng Matric class of 2015 for continuing to hold the Province’s flag high by achieving great results in their Senior Certificate Examinations. To those that that did not make it and/or did not achieve the desired results, all hope is not lost. There are still plenty of opportunities to re-register for matric and improve on results through platforms such as the Second Chance Matric Programme, which helps young people who have failed to meet the requirements of the National Senior Certificate (NSC); and a second chance to obtain a matric thereby improving quality of life.
The programme will be piloted this year (2016) and registration for participation will be open to learners that attempted the NSC examinations in 2015.
Honourable Mekgwe encourages those learners by borrowing from the inspirational words of Col. George A. Custer, “It is not how many times you get knocked down that count, it is how many times you get back up.”
The Honourable Speaker recommitted that the GPL would continue to strengthen its oversight role at all levels of education in Gauteng to ensure that high standards are maintained in the Province’s education system. She further commended the Gauteng Department of Education and all teachers in the Province for their hard work and urged that they continue to give themselves to ensuring that leaners get the best education at all levels.
In conclusion, the Honourable Speaker reminded all learners that education is the only key to unlocking opportunities and creating a better life.
For more information/interview queries please contact:
Pfano Bulasigobo
Tel: 011 498 6381
Cell: 060 533 1982
E-mail: PBulasigobo@gpl.gov.za
