The matric class of 2006 lived up to former state president Nelson Mandela’s expectations, said Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa on Thursday.
”The 78,35% pass rate shows very clearly that we have succeeded in creating a culture of learning and teaching that Nelson Mandela talked about when these matriculants started school in 1994.
”In his speech, he articulated our government’s vision of a new education system and said we must invest substantial amounts in education and training, and re-inculcate the culture of learning and of teaching and make it possible for this culture to thrive,” he said.
Shilowa said the speech Mandela made in 2004 was immediately followed by a number of policy changes ”including the school nutritional feeding scheme, the school building programme, the campaign for effective learning and teaching and a new curriculum”.
”Today we celebrate those young men and women and their teachers who took full advantage of the opportunities presented by the new democratic dispensation to embrace education as a way to escape from the poverty trap and contribute towards the growth and development of our province.”
He said the 2006 matriculants made the nation proud, despite having experienced ”tremendous change” in the schooling system.
”They experienced change as the racially-based education system was transformed and replaced with a non-racial system that encouraged them to embrace diversity and respect individual human rights.”
Shilowa also congratulated the teachers, saying the results were made possible by the ”selfless sacrifices they made”.
”These are the unsung heroes and heroines who seek neither glory nor recognition in making their contribution towards ensuring that we realise our objective of developing healthy, skilled and productive people.”
The Gauteng class of 2006 achieved a 3,45% increase, surpassing the 78% the department of education expected from them.
They have shown an overall pass rate from 74,9% in 2005 to 78,35% this year.
This, according to Gauteng education minister Angie Motshekga has placed them among the ”very best in the country”.
”Our learners’ excellent performances leave me with a deep feeling of maternal pride. We are warmed and humbled by your efforts.”
She particularly congratulated girl pupils, saying they produced more distinctions than the boys.
”Our policy of promoting girl learners has once more paid dividends.”
Gauteng also achieved an increase in a number of pupils that passed with endorsement.
”Although a marginal increase of 2,10%, taking it from 21,10% to 23,20%, this reflects a qualitative improvement in the pass rate,” Motshekga said.
”It is also noted that 10 857 learners in the province produced a total of 21 607 distinctions. This represents 14,85% of the total learners that wrote the examinations.” – Sapa