MEC warns independent schools not to underperform

NELSPRUIT – Final examinations are around the corner for high school pupils. The MEC for education, Ms Reginah Mhaule, recently reiterated that no school should achieve a lower a pass rate than 50%.

She was reported as saying that those achieving less 50% for three consecutive years, would will be closed down. According to Mr Jasper Zwane, spokesman for the education department, it has developed a programme to support the 89 independent secondary schools in the province.

While this has not necessarily been implemented, the programme included subjecting schools to common monthly assessments, special visits by officials and curriculum implementers, weekend classes and camps, as well as winter and spring schools.

“Letters were written to independent schools with unsatisfactory results, to inform them of this initiative,” he said. “Judging by the support given to schools and how they have embraced it, we are of a view that there will be no school performing below 50%.”

“Our view is that schools should work around the clock to ensure that all learners pass at the end of the day. If that does not happen we should be worried, as the department and the community.”

“Our intention is that learners should make the grade at all schools, including independent ones. Closing them will be our last option, especially in areas of recurring underperformance. We are going to do it in accordance with the legal framework, working with the parents of affected learners. This will be done in their best interests.”

However, those schools operating illegally without proper registration with the department, would not be affected. “We can only deregister schools that operate within our ambit,” he said.

Poor performing government schools are also not exempt from action being taken against them. “This expectation cuts across the board and action will be taken against public schools which fail to perform as expected. We have done it in the past,” Zwane said.

“On behalf of the MEC we wish all learners who will sit for the examinations, the best of luck.”