The IFP has welcomed the 2011 National Senior Certificate examination results, stating that the overall pass rate of 70.2% is very encouraging, but added that it remained questionable as to whether the improved results translate into tangible growth and advancement in South Africa’s schooling system.
The IFP also extended its congratulations to the students who passed, especially the 24% that have achieved university exemption, and called on all students who did not make the grade, not to give up, but to try again.
“We would like to congratulate all students who successfully passed their 2011 matric examinations. We are delighted with your achievements and wish you all the best for the future. To those who did not succeed, this is not the end of the road. This is simply a temporary obstacle which you can overcome,” said Alfred Mpontshane MP, the IFP’s spokesperson on education.
Mpontshane called on students who failed to get more information on what options are available to them saying, “Students who did not pass should obtain information from their schools on how to apply for a re-mark, or how to apply to write a supplementary examination. Do not give up! Try and try again!”
Speaking about the mathematics results, which have yet again disappointed, Mpontshane said that the IFP remains extremely concerned.
“An education system should be measured by the quality and quantity of its maths pass rate. Similarly, maths and science success at school level is vital to tertiary education, skilled jobs, and our economy. For this reason, the poor performance of the SA schooling system in maths, is not only putting at risk the futures of millions of our children, but it is also jeopardizing our country’s growth and development. South Africa’s continued poor performance in maths is therefore no less than a national crisis in the IFP’s view.”
In 2010 the Centre for Development and Enterprise (CDE) reported that some 90% of schools are still failing to meet the minimum performance standards in mathematics and science. It also stated that government needed to deal with the issue of the accountability of principals and teachers for the performance of their learners.
Mpontshane agreed saying, “The public schooling system is unlikely to improve unless dedication, performance and achievement is rewarded. This is why we oppose government’s plans to ban bonuses for teachers and principals at former Model C schools. Moreover, government’s failure to provide the much-promised incentives to teachers who are willing to teach at rural schools is one of the main reasons for the decline in the pass rate in the three rural provinces of the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu Natal and the Northern Cape. Schools in rural areas often do not have the basic infrastructure, such as libraries or laboratories, let alone teachers that can teach these demanding subjects,” added Mpontshane.
Mpontshane said that there needed to be a shift of focus from just scrutinizing the results, to addressing the issue of the lack of quality education for all.
“Beyond the matric results we must measure how many matriculants go on to successfully obtain degrees. How many are able to find jobs? If they find employment, are they adequately skilled to do the job? And how many matriculants are able to create jobs for themselves? These are some questions we have to seriously consider. It is no good celebrating a good matric pass rate when our children’s futures remain bleak. The alarmingly high unemployment rate amongst the youth is proof that the quality and the outcomes of our education system still leave much to be desired,” said Mpontshane.
The IFP said it was also concerned with the number of students who wrote matric exams in 2011. Said Mpontshane, “The fact that 41 000 less students wrote matric exams in 2011 is concerning. What were the reasons for this? We must get to the bottom as to why so many fewer students wrote exams,” said Mpontshane.
Lastly, Mpontshane congratulated the Education Department on managing credible examinations. “This year’s examinations were characterized by no incidents of irregularity and security measures around examination papers were tight, which ensured that we received credible results today. For this, the Department deserves praise. We would also like to congratulate the Minister Angie Motshekga and her Director General on a job well done. Their passion and commitment is commendable,” said Mpontshane.
[wpramazon asin=”1242984771″]
