KZN matric pass rate set to improve
KING Cetshwayo District Education Director David Chonco has predicted an 80% improvement for the district in this year’s National Senior Certificate examinations.
In a message to the Class of 2018, Chonco said he was convinced that all candidates who will be writing their final papers will do the district proud.
‘Based on the groundwork our educators have done, there is no doubt in my mind that we will move from last year’s 73% pass rate. I’m saying this despite the few disruptions we have experienced in our schools this year.
‘I have never had such optimism about our matriculants. We want them to focus on the task at hand. We know they have travelled a long road, but now they are at the exit point, from where they can carve out a prosperous future.
‘A matric certificate is their only passport to university,’ Chonco said. He also commended educators for preparing learners well.
‘Our educators, School Governing Bodies, officials and corporate business supporters have done a sterling job in ensuring that the ground is fertile for our matrics to excel.
‘We also need to thank our labour unions for allowing teachers to do their work, as well as the media for communicating issues pertaining to our schools,’ he said. Chonco’s sentiments were echoed by KZN MEC for Education, Mthandeni Dlungwana, who said the province was more than ready for the matric examinations.
Dlungwana said extra classes for Grade 12 learners, lesson broadcasting, district cross-border networking sessions, winter school programmes and spring classes, ensured that learners were well supported and honed for the examinations.
He said 187 726 KZN learners will write their matric exams this year - 152 747 full-time and 34 980 part-time candidates.
‘There are 12 nodal points, 91 distribution points, 27 marking centres and 1 753 examination centres. The process of marking exam scripts will begin on 3 December and end on 14 December.
‘The number of script markers will be 7 481, dealing with an expected 1 963 421 papers. Dlungwana said systems have been put in place to ensure that no irregularities will occur.