GEORGE NEWS - On Monday the announcement by the Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, that the national matric pass rate for the Class of 2013 had increased by 4,3% to 78,2% was met with both jubilation and disbelieving sneers.

The Western Cape pass rate of 85,1%, although up by 2,3%, is only fourth highest in the country and caught most people by surprise. Bronagh Cassey, spokesperson for Donald Grant, MEC for education in the Western Cape, said, "while we are excited about the record 'quantity' of passes achieved this year, we are even more excited about the 'quality' of those passes."

In the Western Cape, 40,9% of the candidates achieved access to Bachelor Degree study. This figure is the highest in the country. The criteria for a Bachelor's Pass is a minimum of 50% for four subjects and a minimum of 30% for the other three subjects plus 40% for a home language and you can't fail any subject. The Bachelor's Pass is the best pass level as it qualifies the learner to study at any tertiary institution in SA provided that they meet the requirements for the particular course.

Increasing the number of candidates writing and passing the National Senior Certificate (NSC) is one of the strategic priorities of the Western Cape as it reflects the retention rate of learners at school. It is essential that the the Province reduces the dropout rate of learners. This year the retention rate in the Province was 52,1%, which is significantly up from 36,9% in 2009. Grant pointed out that the Western Cape is the only Province to have applied measures of competency testing to ensure the highest possible standard of examination marking. "The results in the Western Cape are a fair and accurate reflection of the abilities of the candidates."

Grant concluded by saying that, "examination results are not about numbers in isolation - they are about better life chances for young people."

York High
Francois Moll, of York High, is elated with his matrics' 100% pass rate. "More important is that 90,7% of the 162 students achieved a Bachelor's Pass. Quality is the name of the game in education as then the world becomes your oyster. Yorkies are known as excellent students at institutions of higher learning." Damian Swart, André Nortje and Khaya Gould all achieved straight As. Peter Thompson scored six As all above 90% with a spectacular 99% for Visial Art.

York is a 'Dinaledi' (Star in SeSotho) focus school. The Dinaledi programme aims to significantly improve performance and increase participation in mathematics, life sciences and physical sciences.

Thembalethu High
Norman Cona, headmaster of Thembalethu High, said that although the pass percentage remained static at 69,2% compared to 69,5% in 2012, this year 35% of the candidates achieved a Bachelor's Pass compared to 24% last year. "This is exciting news as we are tracking the provincial criteria of improving the quality of education. 2014 should be a better year as all our stationary and necessities have already been delivered." Cona said that the support from the Western Cape Education Department and the local Education Management District Office really assisted the learners.

Imizamo Yethu Secondary
Headmaster Falake Mbotyi, of Imizamo Yethu Secondary School, said this year was a challenge for the school. "Last year the pass rate was 96,6% and this year it dropped to 86,3%, but in 2012 only 88 students wrote matric. This year 262 matriculants wrote the exam. The number of Bachelor Passes dropped from 47,7% in 2012 to 21,8% this year. The matric class for 2014 is expected to be 286 learners and we will take up the challenge to improve the Bachelor Pass rate significantly. We have a point to prove and I would like to thank the teachers, learners, parents and the community at large for always being there for us." A matriculant with certificate in hand said she felt vindicated as in 2012 she was kept back a year. "I was kept back for no apparent reason except that if I failed, the school pass rate would not look good."

Charles Standers, the executive mayor of George, congratulated the Matric Class of 2013 on their excellent results. Standers said that, "this reflects your intense commitment, dedication and sacrifices over the past 12 years."

View more photos here.


From the left: Nkululeko Taba, Khonzisa Coin Mjiwu and George Zuko Mbozi, of Thembalethu High, showing their confidence just before receiving their results.

ARTICLE: MYRON RABINOWITZ, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST

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