Gauteng DA questions matric results
The DA in Gauteng has pointed out that the improvement in the overall matric provincial pass rate at 87 per cent in 2013 (up from 83.9 per cent in 2012), poses more questions and raises serious concerns about the quality of education outcomes in the province.
The party congratulates the matric class of 2013, also applauding teachers, principals and governing bodies across the province, but still asks burning questions.
“If we are continuously improving our matric results, why are we not noticing positive changes for South Africa in world rankings on the quality of maths and science passes?” asks DA Gauteng Education spokesperson MPL Khume Ramulifho.
Ramulifho continues to pose questions on the state of education in Gauteng.
“If we have overcome structural barriers to learning and teaching, can we up the game and set high standards for our leaners, and more fundamentally, why are higher quintile schools continuing to achieve better results and outperforming lower quintile, so-called poorer, schools?”
Ramulifho says the immense difference between Quintile five schools and Quintile one schools paints a grim picture of inequality in our education system, showing that quality education is for those with money.
“Similarly we have to ask serious questions about the future of those learners who have passed but cannot enter institutions of higher learning because their passes are below minimum requirements.
“The sad reality is that thousands of successful matriculants of the class of 2013 are staring the harsh prospects in the face of joining the ranks of unemployable youth,” adds Ramulifho.
The Gauteng DA urges those who did not make it to keep on trying and apply for rewrites where possible, as even though there is no guarantee to success, research shows that successfully completing matric is, at least, a key ingredient to future success.
”A matric pass must enable learners to pursue their individual objectives and live the life that they value. In turn, they must showcase their creativity and innovation in leading our country to a competitive level.”
