Ilembe matric failure rate investigated

A task group has cited a number of reasons for the poor performance of Ilembe matrics.

Absenteeism at month-end for collection of social grants, pregnancy, lack of commitment among pupils, overcrowding due to a lack of classrooms, a shortage of resources like text books, electricity and photocopy machines, and issues related to unions which often led to division within staff are what caused the district’s 2015 matric pass rate of 51.93 percent, 8.77 percent below the provincial average of 60.7 percent.

Members of the KZN legislature, Ilembe education department and municipal councillors visited the high schools that performed the best and worst between January 13 and 15 as part of the annual School Functionality Programme.

The objectives of the visits were to assess schools’ operations, school year plans, review the 2015 matric results, identify challenges facing schools and congratulate those who performed well in the 2015 matric exams.

“More needs to be done to move South Africa forward. We acknowledge the good work done by all and we realise that a lot of work still needs to be done. As a district municipality, we are always ready and available to assist and are behind you all the way,” said Ilembe mayor Welcome Mdabe.

Underachieving schools visited included Nkwankwezi and Isinyabusi in Mandeni, Hlonono and Esiqhoqhweni in Maphumulo, and Inkosi Albert Luthuli in KwaDukuza. The top performing schools visited were Ukukhanyakwezwe in Maphumulo and Hullets and Tugela in Mandeni.

Ntombikayise Sibhidla-Saphetha, KZN MEC for arts and culture, sport and recreation said she hoped the 2016 matric results would be better than those in 2015.

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