Two-year matric plan a workable ‘strategy’

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 29

A2015 DECISION to allow pupils who were progressed to Grade 12 without passing Grade 11 to complete matric in modules over two years is not likely to cause overcrowding in affected schools, the Department of Basic Education says.

Last week the Cape Argus reported that principals had raised concern over the decision by the Council of Education Ministers, which will allow pupils that were “progressed” to Grade 12, but were not coping despite remedial attention, to “modulate” their matric.

They will have the option to focus only on the subjects they are ready to write this year and exams for the remaining subjects would be written next year.

Principals questioned how teachers would be able to support the pupils over two years and, in the second year, deal with the new cohort of matric pupils, which would also include progressed pupils needing extra support.

About 80 000 pupils, who didn’t pass Grade 11 last year, were progressed to matric this year.

Some Western Cape schools including Spine Road High in Mitchells Plain and South Peninsula High in Diep River have indicated that they would not progress pupils who haven’t met the requirements.

In a letter to the Cape Argus in July, the staff and governing body of Spine Road High said they had been forced to “promote 48 pupils in Grade 11 who failed dismally”. The school said it had requested support through its circuit manager in January but had not received any response.

Elijah Mhlanga, spokesman for the Department of Basic Education, said the number of subjects a pupil would write this year would be determined by their June and September results, and the decision would be taken in consultation with pupils and their parents.

Asked if schools would be able to accommodate the pupils over two years and deal with a new cohort in the second year, he said: “If you compare the numbers, the progressed learners are in a minority and thinly spread around the country.”

The 80 000 pupils were spread across all provinces “so it is highly unlikely that it will cause overcrowding”.

Mhlanga said the department would also launch a “second chance” initiative.

Earlier this year the department indicated that through this initiative matric candidates who fail but qualify for supplementary examinations would from next year be given the opportunity to attend “finishing schools”.

The schools would be held after hours at schools, teacher centres, Further Education and Training Colleges and municipal buildings.