@sitholesthe
The streets of Soweto were packed this
morning with the 2011 Matric class as they wanted to see whether they passed
and completed their high schooling. Some were disappointed and many were happy
with the outcomes as Umalusi Council for Quality Assurance in
General and Further Education and Training has revealed that the pass
rate has gone up from 2010 67,8% to 70,2% this time around.
Sowetan Nelisiwe Chopela from The Hill high
school who passed with a University entry (A) encouraged those who didn’tpass
to give it their best as they try again. “I know that is no easy but I hope
that they will go and re-write their Matric. It is not the end of the world.”
Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga said
the support structures played a huge role in the progress made this year. “The
class of 2011 has been a very prolific and productive. We are grateful to teachers,
union and higher education for the support.”
The 2010 exams were disrupted by student
and teacher protests which led to the controversy of some of the subjects’
marks being increased in order for many students to make it. This overloaded
universities with students that were standing on queues at the beginning of the
year. This time though there were no protests and everything went as planned
which the South African Democratic Teachers Unions (SADTU) is happy about.
“2011 Matric exams started on 15 October and
ended in December on a high note and all writing material was delivered on
time”, says SADTU Secretary General Mungwena Maluleke.
Dean of the Faculty of Education in the
University of Johannesburg, Professor Sarah Gravett, says the basic education
system in South Africa needs to be carefully examined as there are still huge
inequalities. “I don’t think one should look at the education system only
through matric results. The provinces that are doing well are metropolitans and
poor performing schools are in the rural areas.”
Umalusi CEO, Dr. Mafu Rakometsi, hopes that
the level of mathematics pass rate will improve. “We have to have more teachers
that will specialise in mathematics and put more resources.”
After receiving their results many students
will only now think of which steps to take for their future. Many of those who
come from the rural areas will probably visit universities to check if there
are still spaces available as it has been tradition in the past.
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