MATRIC RESULTS SOUTH AFRICA Mail and Guardian Polokwane taught us that South Africans are tired of promises and of people
with posh voices telling us what to do and doing nothing themselves. We begin 2008 with dreadful
matric results — 21 500 young people failed in Gauteng alone. How is that possible in the wealthiest, best resourced province in Africa? In all more than 200 000 matriculants failed — how’s that for smashing dreams? The pass rate has declined each year since 2004; in 2007 the pass rate was 65,2%, Minister of
Education Naledi Pandor unblushingly tells us. Why hasn’t she been fired? In every year since she has been in office results have deteriorated — so why is she still able to draw a large salary and afford the expensive clothes she struts around in after emerging from chauffeur-driven vehicles? She tells us that: “The endorsement rate
has declined from 18,2% in 2004 to 15,1% in 2007. However, the number of learners able to take advantage of university study has remained consistently above 85 000.” Yes, but in 2004 there were only 467 985 matriculants, this year there were 564 775 — if we want to reach economic targets of 6% we will have to import workers or give jobs to well-educated refugees instead of shipping them back home. We are simply not educating enough young South Africans to take charge of this economy. Earlier this year too, Pandor told Parliament that just under half of those who began high school in 1999 (675 132) made it to matric (322 492) in 2003. This year, Pandor had the cheek to tell those who failed matric they cannot go back to school to try again, there will be “special” classes at weekends to help those who want to try again. The haughty Ms Pandor said to those who failed: “I call on you to join us in 2008 in our national tutorial programme for candidates who did not pass in 2007 … If you wish to succeed we will provide you with all the necessary help.” Why was the “necessary help” not given to ensure those young people did not fail in the first instance and why should we believe it will be forthcoming now? EAST COAST RADIO NEWS While tens of thousands of school-leavers are on cloud nine, the pass rate has dampened celebrations. This year, the national pass rate has dropped by 1-point 4 percent compared to last year. In KZN, it’s down by nearly 2-percent. Pandor says there’s no doubt 2007 was a difficult year, therefore they’re really proud of those who made it. However she says the results are not the best that could be achieved by our pupils. There are a number of reasons that have been cited for the drop in the pass rate. These include the lack support that schools receive from national offices as well as the drawn-out public servants strike. KZN’s education minister, Ina Cronje, also singled this out when speaking about the province’s results. She said it was unfortunate that teaching was disrupted for a full month earlier this year during the strike. However she thanked those who took part in the recovery plans. KZN achieved an overall pass rate of 63.8 percent. Of the 148 thousand pupils who wrote the exams, just over 94 thousand passed. Most of them received a senior certificate pass while 21 thousand grade 12’s will be able to go to university. The pass rate and dropped steadily since 2003 but the Cronje says the results should be seen in context - she says in real terms 12 thousand more candidates passed this year compared to last year.