Our class of 2012 shines brighter than ever before
Cape’s matrics have broken key records,
HECLASS of 2012 has excelled beyond expectations, putting on a “quality performance” that I will certainly remember for years to come. The Class of 2012 has also succeeded in beating the records for all our key indicators of success.
These records include: achieving the highest number of passes in this province since the inception of the National Senior Certificate (NSC), breaking our record in the number of pupils qualifying for Bachelor degree study, and achieving the highest percentage pass rates in both maths and physical science.
Results such as this show that the system is qualitatively getting better and that our strategic interventions are proving, time and time again, to be successful in increasing the performance levels of our underperforming schools.
Yes, as a result of the many outstanding achievements of the Class of 2012, the number of underperforming schools has dropped once again.
While this government has always prioritised the education needs of all our pupils, we have particularly focused on schools serving our poorer communities.
If we analyse the results, it is evident that the quality of education in our schools serving our poorer communities in Quintiles 1 to 3 is improving under this government.
Since 2009 we have improved on all indicators of success for schools in Quintile 1 and 3:
There has been a 25.6 percent increase in the number of candidates passing the NSC in Quintiles 1 to 3 since 2009, with 9 797 candidates passing in 2012, compared to 7 798 in 2009. The average pass rate also increased from 56.9 percent in 2009 to 70.9 percent in 2012.
The number of Bachelors passes has increased across Quintiles 1 to 3 from 1 432 in 2009 to 2 531 in 2012. This is an increase of approximately 76 percent between 2009 and 2012.
The average percentage pass rate for maths in Quintiles 1 to 3 has increased by 12.2 percent and the average pass rate for physical science by 26.64 percent.
The number of underperforming schools in Quintiles 1 to 3 has been reduced from 50 in 2009 to 18 in 2012.
These results are a clear indication that we are working hard to improve the education outcomes of our poorer pupils. We will continue to prioritise their needs in 2013 to ensure that further quality improvements are made.
TExamination results are, however, not about numbers in isolation – they are about better life chances for our young people and a government that is prepared to support the improvement of these chances.
Every school should aspire towards achieving and improving on quality. We are already seeing some of our individual schools taking the lead in this initiative.
Schools like Cosat in Khayelitsha, Rylands High in Gatesville, Spine Road in Mitchells Plain and Imizamo Yethu Secondary in Thembalethu near George, are but a few that come to mind.
One such school will be receiving a Special Ministerial Award today for its outstanding performance in maths, a subject that I have personally taken an interest in improving. This school is the only school in the province to have achieved a 100 percent pass rate with an enrolment rate of 100 percent of their Class of 2012 in maths.
We are also pleased to see other schools working their way up the ladder of quality – schools like Sinenjonga High School in Milnerton, Groenvlei Senior Secondary in Hanover Park and Sinethemba Secondary School in Phillipi.
In 2012, we saw 20 of our 30 underperforming schools improve their results to beyond 60 percent. This is evidence that school improvement can be achieved no matter where one is positioned in the NSC.
I would therefore like to wish all the schools that will be honoured here today, whether you have achieved excellence in individual performance, improved your number of passes or increased numbers passing for Bachelor Degree study. Each of you is aspiring towards achieving or improving on quality,
THEIR TEAMWORK AND MOTIVATION HAS PAID OFF – THE CLASS OF 2012 HAS DONE US PROUD!
and for that you deserve to be congratulated and honoured.
I would also like to congratulate each of the individual pupils who will receive an award today.
I should like to thank you for the hard work that you have put into your studies throughout your school years. This hard work has now paid off, and I sincerely hope you realise just how proud this government, this department and the people of the Western Cape are of your quality achievements.
I would like to congratulate all of our principals who have met and improved on their targets for 2012, as well as our educators who had successfully prepared their candidates.
Thanks must also go to the educator unions, governing body associations, universities and various education organisations for the role that they have played in supporting the efforts of the Western Cape Education Department in 2012. I include in this group the Western Cape Education Council, whose chairman, Professor Brian Figaji, is present here today.
A big thank you to all our eight district directors and their staff for their dedication and support to our schools throughout 2012. I would also like to thank the department’s examinations team for their excellent approach in overseeing these exams.
There is no doubt that 2012 was a year of teamwork and shared motivation. These driving forces took many forms.
Some schools and pupils banded together to form study groups. Supported by their educators, these study groups took place throughout the year, with pupils meeting during school holidays and on weekends in order to improve their results.
Their teamwork and shared motivation paid off – the Class of 2012 has done us proud! I sincerely hope the Class of 2013 is just as committed and as unified as you. By working “Better Together” we can certainly improve on your success.
DonaldGrantistheMEC forEducation.Thisisanedited copyofthespeechhemadeatthe WesternCape’sNSCawardsceremonyatLeeuwenhofyesterday.