Province ready for matric exams

Next week Monday, October 27 sees the beginning of the 2014 matric examination which will stretch until December 2.

The class of 2014 has a steep challenge ahead of them as they have to do better than the class of 2013, which attained a 77, 6% pass rate.

Speaking to Mpumalanga Mirror, Ms Reginah Mhaule, the MEC for the department of education, said her department was ready for the exams and that she was confident that the province will improve the matric results as envisaged.

“You know, we have set ourselves a 10% improvement target for the 2014 grade 12 results.

This means that we are working towards achieving 87, 6%. I have no doubt in my mind, after all the interventions and mechanism that we put in place for our learners, that they will do better,” she said.

She said that her department has assisted with the implementation of programmes such as the Winter classes, Spring classes, provisioning of supplementary materials, the dial-a-tutor and radio lessons, which have been extended to Community Radio Stations throughout the province.

Mhaule said matric learners have every reason to work hard and pass with flying colours, including those that are from disadvantaged backgrounds.

“You know the beauty of it all is that upon completion these children will get opportunities to further their studies at tertiary institutions of their choice, because of the bursary aids that are available.

We intend to upscale the number of bursaries that are offered to learners who pass Grade 12.

I wish to take this opportunity and encourage all deserving students to apply for these bursaries and also ensure that they apply for admission to universities on time,” encouraged Mhaule.

Mhaule also stressed the need to promote and encourage learners to take Maths and Science.

“We intend to ensure that more learners take and pass Mathematics and Physical Sciences respectively.

The province has opened the doors of Maths, Science and Technology Academy and so far 20 550 Grade 8 learners have been recruited to take these subjects in the 100 identified secondary schools.

All the learners will be receiving support extensive support through the years to enable them to graduate with flying colours in 2018,” she said.