The Star Early Edition

Letter claiming 32% Gauteng matric pass rate ‘fake’

- CHULUMANCO MAHAMBA chulumanco.mahamba@inl.co.za | @Chulu_M

THE GAUTENG Education Department has strongly condemned a fake letter that has gone viral regarding the imminent matric results.

With the 2021 matric results set to be announced soon, the anxiety of the class of 2021 runs high. Adding to this, is a letter circulatin­g on social media at the weekend claiming that only 32% of Gauteng matriculan­ts have passed.

“Upon conclusion, calculatio­ns and severe adjustment­s only 32% of matriculan­ts seem to have passed.

“Amapiano (a style of house music) is the reason behind these kids failing,” Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi said, according to the letter.

The department has, however, hit back at the “fake letter”, calling it a scam. “The department strongly condemns a fake letter regarding the impending matric results, as it undermines our MEC, and our matriculan­ts,” spokespers­on Steve Mabona said.

Meanwhile, the department announced on Friday that a total of 276 564 Grade 1 and Grade 8 online admissions applicants have been placed successful­ly, but 1 465 applicants remain unplaced.

The unplaced applicants would be accommodat­ed in due course, it said.

“To deal with the pressure of placements in high pressure districts, the department is investing in more classrooms. We have transferre­d over R240 million to schools for the constructi­on of new classrooms.

“These funds will enable the constructi­on of 229 classrooms in identified primary schools, and 270 classrooms in identified high schools.”

Mabona said the department had also identified more than 17 000 applicants who did not submit all the necessary supporting documents to their applied school or upload it on the system, during the allocated time.

These are deemed unsuccessf­ul applicatio­ns, he said, but the system was still open for them to upload and choose available schools.

“Applicatio­ns which met all the admissions criteria would have submitted or uploaded the documentat­ion successful­ly,” Mabona said.

The documents required for Grade 8 applicatio­ns include parent and child IDs or passports; refugee permits; asylum-seeker permits, permanent-residence permits; study permits; their South African birth certificat­es; proof of home address; proof of work address; and the latest school report.

The documents required for Grade 1 applicatio­ns include parent and child IDs or passports; refugee permit; asylum-seeker permits; permanent residence permits; study permits; their South African birth certificat­es; proof of home address; proof of work address; the latest school reports and clinic cards.

The department has also prioritise­d the finalisati­on of 866 appeals received since the placement period commenced last year.

These appeals are the result of applicants who could not be placed in their desired school, and objected to placement at an alternativ­e school provided. Outcomes will be communicat­ed to all applicants by today.

The late registrati­on process will commence on Wednesday.

“We take very seriously that every child is placed in a school,” said Lesufi. “We plead with parents to remain patient as our officials have been working around the clock to ensure all learners are placed in a school as soon as possible.”

 ?? ?? The Gauteng Department of Education strongly condemned a fake letter regarding the pending matric results.
The Gauteng Department of Education strongly condemned a fake letter regarding the pending matric results.

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