‘East Cape must now target 80%’
MEC wants pass rate to maintain upward trajectory
Having ventured into the unfamiliar territory of the 70% matric pass rate, officials agree the department now faces the most daunting task yet – maintaining the unprecedented height and improving on the achievements of the class of 2018.
This was brought to light at the department of education’s annual media briefing at the Education Leadership Institute in East London on Friday.
Acting MEC Mlungisi Mvoko and superintendent-general Themba Konjana, supported by a team of officials, referred to the province’s historic achievement – a 70.6% pass rate record as “entering into a new league”.
Mvoko said the pass rate reflected not only a quantitative success but also a qualitative one with the number of bachelor’s passes rising by 4.7% in 2018 to 27.4%, as well as distinction passes increasing by 3.1% since 2017.
He said that the maths pass rate, which increased from 40.7% in 2017 to 45.5% in 2018, as well as the physical sciences pass rate going from 57.5% to 66.5% in 2018, indicated sustainable growth and quality.
Across the province, all 12 districts marked improvements, with Nelson Mandela Bay retaining its place on top, increasing its overall pass rate from 72.6% in 2017 to 76.1% in 2018.
This edged out Sarah Baartman, which attained 73.1% and Buffalo City, which rounded out the podium finishes with a respectable 73% overall.
Despite seven of the districts surpassing the 70% threshold – from only two in 2017 – Mvoko said now was not the time to rest on their recent success, with senior officials of the department scheduled to meet on Monday to discuss the way forward.
“There is a marked improvement at long last. We have broken 70%.
“This is a huge achievement as a province but we all know this is not enough. The challenge now is how we improve,” Mvoko said.
“On Monday we will meet, analyse the results of this year as well as those of the grade 11s and look at strategies as well as what should happen. We will set new targets and see where we can perform better.
“And while some strategies clearly did work this year, 70% cannot be our pride, we should now be targeting the 80% bracket.
“We will need to go back to the drawing board and find out how to get there.”
The upbeat acting MEC was echoed by his right-hand man, Kojana, who said the standard of matric examinations had matured since the CAPS curriculum was introduced five years ago and subsequently so too had the quality of teaching and learning in the province.
“Entering into the league of 70% is a new level and it is not easy at this level as you cannot backtrack. “Now more than ever before. Using a push effect and other performing schools as examples, we will have to keep this upward trajectory.
“But more importantly, education needs to become a societal matter to make this all happen,” Kojana said.
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