Dying diggers of Namaqualand need saving
by Andrew Louw – DA Northern Cape Premier Candidate
Error! Filename not specified.
Date: 04 January 2019
Release: Immediate
The Democratic Alliance in the Northern Cape congratulates all of the learners who studied hard and performed well in the 2018 National Senior Certificate exams.
As a parent with a son who wrote his exams last year, I am also experiencing the joy of seeing my child reaping the benefits of his hard work and I am proud of what he has accomplished. Like other parents, grandparents, guardians and teaching staff who had walked a path with learners, I am excited to see what the future holds for my son. Because a good matric qualification is the key to unlock opportunities for further studying, for developing a vocation, for starting a business and for doing any of a number of things which secure jobs for our young people.
As the DA, we celebrate the achievements of individual learners. We are especially proud of learners from previously disadvantaged backgrounds who had to struggle with a lack of learning material, inadequate school infrastructure and unsafe schools and, through hard work, achieved great heights.
On the other hand, while we are celebrating these achievements, we are concerned about those learners who are failed by the Northern Cape Department of Education. Far too many learners are still, literally, being left behind.
In 2016, a total of 23 082 learners were enrolled in grade 10 in the province. Only 9 909 wrote the exams last year, which means that only 42.9% of the learners enrolled in grade 10 actually went on to write their exams. And of this small group, only 31.5% passed.
What this calculation shows us, is that only one of every three learners enrolled in grade 10 in 2016 went on to pass their exams last year.
By comparison, the DA-led Western Cape boasts the highest retention rates and creates an environment which gives our youth the best possible chance to succeed in adult life.
Media Enquiries
Andrew Louw
DA Northern Cape Premier Candidate
082 383 6914
Tharina Whittaker
Researcher
071 251 5558
Related posts