The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has honoured the province’s most senior successful adult learner, Mrs Mary Meyers, 67, of Kensington, Cape Town.

Mrs Meyers was among adult learners who received awards at a special ceremony at the Cape Teaching Institute in Kuils River on Monday night, 8 August 2005.

The WCED introduced the awards for the first time this year, to acknowledge achievement by adult learners and learning centres.

Mrs Meyers received an award for being the oldest adult learner to pass her subjects for the Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET) Level 4 assessment in 2004.

Cameron Dugmore, the MEC for Education in the Western Cape, said: "The WCED is committed to encouraging lifelong learning. ABET provides an excellent opportunity for adult learners to continue their studies and achieve formal qualifications."

"These awards recognise those who have excelled in adult education and training, and reflect our commitment to providing learning homes for all."

The department presented awards in four major categories, namely, Learner and Learning Centre awards for achievement in the 2004 ABET Level 4 assessments, and Learner and Learning Centre awards for achievement in the 2004 Senior Certificate examinations.

ABET Level 4 offers a basic education and a formal qualification as a first step towards further and higher education and training.

In 2004, a total of 11 887 adult learners registered for ABET courses on Levels 1 to 4, while 12 316 registered for the Senior Certificate examinations.

Mrs Meyers decided to continue with her education when she retired from working at the Somerset Hospital in the linen department. She will turn 67 on 28 August.

She is working towards acquiring a General Education and Training Certificate and attends classes at the Kensington Library satelline centre of the Maryland Literacy project. Mrs Meyers entered ABET Level 4 after completing Level 3 and the centre.

Mrs Meyers entered for assessment in five ABET Level 4 subjects in 2004 and passed all five.

Other award winners include Mr Wonderboy Matyobeni who received a Special Recognition Certificate as the top adult learner in the Higher Grade Senior Certificate examinations in Mathematics, Physical Science and Biology.

Mr Matyobeni, who studied at the Phumelela Adult Learning Centre, is currently a student at Stellenbosch University.

"The awards celebrate excellence demonstrated by adult learners and adult learning centres and acknowledge the importance of the formal adult learning system," Mr Dugmore said.

The WCED has applied strict criteria to choosing the recipients, who must achieve pass rates of 75% or above.

"We celebrate the courage of all of our adult learners who have decided to try again to complete their education, and their commitment to lifelong learning. They provide excellent role models for us all."

Mary Meyers receives her award from Ron Swartz, the Head of Education, and Cameron Dugmore, MEC for Education in the Western Cape. Mrs Meyers was the province’s oldest successful adult learner in the 2004 ABET Level 4 assessments.

Wonderboy Matyobeni receives a Special Recognition Certificate from Ron Swartz, Head of Education in the Western Cape. Mr Matyobeni was the top adult learner in the 2004 Higher Grade Senior Certificate examinations in Mathematics, Physical Science and Biology.

The following is a full list of the award winners:

Western Cape Education Department
Adult learner and learning centre awards

1. ABET Level 4: Learner Awards

1.1 Top candidate(s) in the following learning areas

English:
1. Charles Morris - City of Cape Town
2. Thuso Sebape - St Francis Community Learning Centre (CLC)
3. Julaiga Hendricks - Steenberg CLC
4. Nicoleen Sylvia September - Forest Heights Secondary CLC
5. Nokonwaba Songca - Delft South CLC

Afrikaans:
1. Duron Weavers - Malmesbury New Prison
2. Richardo Elfredo Albertus - Obiqua Correctional Services
3. Ashraf Opperman - Goodwood Prison
4. Maria Antonetta Tieties - St Cyprian's School
5. Jana Claassen - Matie Community Service
6. Elizabeth Solomons - Matie Community Services

Xhosa:
1. Cynthia Hlati - St Cyprian's School
2. Joyce Ketile - St Cyprian's School
3. Thembisile Wellington Kili - St Francis CLC
4. Millia Nozibele Ntoba - Delft South CLC

Mathematical Literacy:
1. Johanna Pieterse - Forest Heights Secondary CLC
2. Michelle Juanita Lewis - Forest Heights Secondary CLC
3. Nelson Curtis Josephs - George Correctional Services
4. Francina van Wyk - Piketberg CLC

Natural Sciences:
Johanna Pieterse - Forest Heights Secondary CLC

1.2 Recognition according to context

Our most senior learner:
Mary Meyers - Maryland Literacy Project. Mrs Meyers is a 67-year-old learner who, after retiring from working at Somerset Hospital, has decided to further her education and gain a General Education and Training Certificate (GETC). She has completed ABET Level 3 and in 2004 registered for 5 learning areas at ABET level 4. She passed all five learning areas and this year is continuing her education.

Top 3 learners from public adult learning centres that passed eight learning areas during the October assessment:
1. Nawaal Abrahams - B.E.S.T. Centre
2. Onwaba Kula - Masiyile CLC
3. Aviwe Nzuzo - Masiyile CLC

Top 3 learners at partners that achieved a GETC:
1. Vuyani Sunduza - Helderstroom Adult Learning Centre
2. Adnaan Davids - Malmesbury New Prison
3. Samson van Schalkwyk - Malmesbury New Prison

2. ABET Level 4: Learning Centre Categories

2.1 Overall excellence according to a set of criteria, awarded to centres that offered opportunities and achieved excellence in the October 2004 assessment:

Helderstroom Adult Learning Centre
Malmesbury New Prison

2.2 Top centres based on number of entries, turnout rate and pass rate (look at numbers as well as percentage), quality of passes in the following learning areas:

English:
Masiyile Adult Learning Centre - Khayelitsha

Afrikaans:
Brandvlei Correctional Services - Worcester

Xhosa:
Malmesbury New Prison - Malmesbury

Mathematical Literacy:
City of Cape Town

Natural Sciences:
Die Ons Wêreld - Ladismith

Technology:
Malmesbury New Prison - Malmesbury

2.3 Top centres in electives (learning areas directly in line with work opportunities):

Ancillary Health Care:
Uitzig CLC - Parow

Applied Agriculture and Agricultural Technology:
Villiersdorp Volwasse Onderwys en Opleiding Sentrum

Small Medium and Micro Enterprises:
City of Cape Town

Tourism:
Drakenstein Adult Learning Centre - Paarl

2.4 Improvement demonstrated over the period 2002 – 2004:

1. Masiyile Adult Learning Centre
2. Worcester Community Learning Centre

3. Senior Certificate: Learner Categories

3.1 Top candidate(s) in the following subjects (minimum of 75% achieved per learner area)

English First Language Higher Grade:
Wayne George Lindeboom - Strandfontein CLC

Afrikaans First Language Higher Grade:
Azette Elmare Badenhorst - Woodstock CLC
Anna Johanna Francina Roelofsz - Worcester CLC

Xhosa First Language Higher Grade:
Nokhwezi Mayvis Matombo - Sakhisizwe CLC

3.2 Special recognition certificate

It was decided to reward one of the candidates with a special recognition certificate as he had been the top student in Mathematics Higher Grade, Physical Science Higher Grade and Biology Higher Grade: Wonderboy Matyobeni - Phumelela Adult Learning Centre

4. Senior Certificate: Centre Categories

4.1 Centre(s) that performed excellently:

Alexander Sinton CLC

4.2 Top centre(s) in the following subjects

English (First Language):
Portland CLC

Afrikaans (First Language):
Portland CLC

Xhosa (First Language):
Phumelela CLC