Mpumalanga will continue to have poor matric results unless the government implemented a comprehensive education rescue plan, the Democratic Alliance said on Thursday.
”Information obtained by the DA indicate that the results for June exams are extremely poor and improvement in the 2006 matric results may be minimal, if any,” DA spokesperson on education Anthony Benadie said.
In Mpumalanga, matric June results indicated that the provincial average for subjects, excluding economics and languages, was below 40%.
”The worst subjects are science with a provincial average of 35,95% and maths with a provincial average of 32,63%.”
Benadie said the statistics were cause for concern because the department of education had prioritised these subjects. He claimed that the current curriculum did not equip pupils with the skills to be competitive in the job market.
”School leavers not being properly equipped for the market is enhanced by the low requirements to pass matric.”
He suggested that schools that achieved an average pass rate above 80% for the past five years be granted the authority to manage their own affairs. School governing bodies should also be granted more decision-making powers.
Struggling schools should be assisted with increased subsidies to boost their capacity, and enhanced control and improvement of scholar transport system.
Benadie said the school nutrition programme should be expanded.
”The safety at schools should be drastically improved with visible policing to protect our learners, educators and school property.” – Sapa