Basic Education Portfolio Committee praises department for matric examinations readiness
The Portfolio Committee on Basic Education praised the Department of Basic Education (DBE) today for its readiness and preparedness for this year’s Grade 12 examinations.
The Committee received a briefing from the department to this extent. Committee Chairperson, Ms Nomalungelo Gina, said in her closing remarks: “Now we have a clearer picture. Our system is moving in the right direction, one of improvement. We hope to strive towards a perfect system.”
The Committee heard that the department and provincial education departments are busy with the “Last Push Campaign”. This included structured revision classes, afternoon study classes, and multiple opportunities for progressed learners, radio lessons, grammar clinics, WhatsApp lessons and Spring Schools.
“We are quietly but cautiously optimistic about the improvement of results,” said Suren Govender, Chief Director: Curriculum Implementation and Monitoring at the DBE. He further said they are encouraged by the improvements in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal where resource limitations are being addressed, and printing and transport contracts are now in place.
“Limpopo is showing some signs of improvement but still needs intensive support with top management prioritising exams.”
The Committee heard registration of centres and candidates has been completed and final verification of the data is currently underway. Question papers have been set and externally moderated. There are 827 324 candidates enrolled for examinations, 677 141 registered full-time and 150 183 part-time candidates, 9 000 more than in 2015.
KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng have the largest enrolments again with 169 769 and 112 069 respectively. Enrolment showed an increase in the uptake of Mathematics, with a decline in Mathematical Literacy.
The Committee heard that measures have been put in place to complement normal teaching and learning programmes to bring about improvements in performance since 2014. The Committee expressed concern about extra classes being offered outside of the normal school time. “We need to focus on ‘Time on Task’. We do not want extra classes to become the norm as the curriculum should be dealt with within normal school time,” said Ms Gina.
Mr Govender agreed and said the department does not support or encourage this phenomenon. It should merely be a temporary measure. It cannot be institutionalised.
“However, some schools will not be able to improve without it. Teacher shortages exist and some schools have to make use of the teachers of other schools.”
The Committee further heard that all storage points across the country will be audited to ensure they comply with the minimum security standards. Storage points that do not comply will not be allowed to store question papers. The examinations will commence on 26 October and conclude on 29 November.
Ms Gina said the Committee will now monitor the issues on the ground, especially when it goes on oversight in provinces.
The Committee further received a briefing on the Southern and Eastern African Consortium for Monitoring Educational Quality (SACMEQ). The Committee expressed its pleasure at the advances made in this regard. South African learners are tested and compared to at least 15 other countries on the continent.
The Committee heard that across all SACMEQ countries, there was a notable improvement in the overall reading and mathematics scores of learners. Against the SACMEQ centre point of 500 (established in SACMEQ 11), learners in South Africa for the first time achieved a mean score above the centre point with 558 in reading and 587 in mathematics. “This really gladdens our hearts. It shows that the department is really putting in the effort.”
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact:
Rajaa Azzakani
Tel: 021 403 8437
Cell: 082 560 9610
E-mail: razzakani@parliament.gov.za
