The provincial chairperson, Senzo Mpalala, says there are schools with the enrolment of grade 12 learners being above a hundred. He says this also contributes to irregularities. “Each and every learner in the model C schools receive the much-needed attention from the educator to pass, unlike in public schools, where the classes are overcrowded and the ratio of educators to learners is 1:35,” Mpalala said. 

He also added that the schools’ infrastructure is a further cause of concern. “If all of these things are improved, we will see the province improving its 2020 matric class results,” he said.

The Education Department’s provincial spokesperson, Geoffrey van der Merwe, told OFM News the schools are still receiving late admission applications and it is impacting on available resources, including educators. He says they are aware that some schools do have a shortage of educators and the department is committing itself to appoint these educators by Monday 20 January 2020. “As the number of applications increases on a daily basis, schools and districts must submit a motivation within 10 working days, for the appointment of additional teachers,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Education MEC, Mac Jack, says it is all systems go and that the first day of school on Wednesday ran without many clashes. He says they have put in place plans to ensure that the state of education in the province improves this year and that they obtain a 100% pass rate. He is still slightly disappointed with the province’s matric results for the class of 2019, who only achieved a pass rate of 76.5%.

OFM News/Marvin Ntsane