Statement by Cameron Dugmore, MEC for Education in the Western Cape

The Western Cape has once again scored an "A" for matric, with a pass rate of 84.4%. Candidates for the Senior Certificate examinations have achieved a pass rate of more than 80% for five years in a row.

This reflects stability in the education system of the Western Cape and a strong commitment to excellence in all parts of the province.

Our matrics of 2005 have done us proud. While we cannot judge the success of our education system solely on the achievements of those completing secondary education, it is clear that the results indicate progress made, and also starkly highlight the challenges that remain.

We congratulate all those who have passed matric. Matric is a significant milestone, and prepares the way for further study and opportunities in the world of work.

We encourage the Class of 2005 to continue studying, including those who may be disappointed by their results.

Those who have not passed can still apply to write supplementary exams in February and March in 2006. We also encourage you to consider other forms of studying.

We are committed to lifelong learning and to building a learning home for all in the Western Cape. The opportunities for learning in the Western Cape are considerable and we urge everyone to make the most of these opportunities.

A total of 38 586 candidates completed all the examinations required for matric in 2005, compared to 38 896 in 2004. While this is slightly down, the difference is insignificant given the total number of candidates who entered for the examinations.

A total of 32 573 candidates passed matric compared to 33 065 in 2004. Of these, 10 394 (26,9%) passed with Endorsement; 6 595 passed with Merit; and 2 201 passed with distinction.

The number of passes with distinction is almost exactly the same as that in 2004 (2 202), despite the slight decline in the number who wrote, which reflects signs of deepening quality in the system.

We are especially pleased to see progress in the number of candidates passing mathematics and science on the higher grade, even though this progress is slight.

A total number of 4 321 candidates passed mathematics on the higher grade, compared to 4 268 in 2004. The number of candidates who passed Physical Science on the higher grade increased from 3 937 to 3 968.

We have noted comments by the national Department of Education and Umalusi, our certification authority, that this year’s papers have placed slightly higher cognitive demands on our learners.

Specially designed, sourced-based and interpretive questions have also raised demand levels in our papers. This is in line the focus of the national Minister of Education and that of the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) on improving the quality of Senior Certificate passes.

Our teachers, candidates and support personnel have shown that they can rise to this challenge. Their success reflects at least 12 years to commitment to excellence in teaching and learning.

We are pleased to note that the number of schools who achieved pass rates of less than 60% dropped from 43 in 2004 to 38 in 2005.

This result reflects the tremendous effort put in by many of the schools in this category over the past year, supported by the Learning Schools Project of the WCED.

Our Education Management and Development Centres (EMDCs) are responsible for driving this project, primarily by working with schools to ensure whole school development.

Unfortunately, results at some of these schools have declined, despite this intervention, which reflects the work that remains to be done to ensure access to quality education for all.

While we acknowledge the achievements of those who received awards today, this cannot mean that those who did not receive awards are worthy only of consolation prizes.

Many candidates have written exams under trying circumstances. Others have been affected by violence at their schools and in the surrounding communities. Many of our 2005 matrics did not write exams in the familiarity of their own schools because school halls are not part of the school infrastructure. We salute then, all of our learners who have achieved a senior certificate.

Key challenges for 2006 will include starting the process of implementing our Human Capital Development Strategy, which addresses all aspects of education in the Western Cape, particularly in our poorest areas.

We have to look at the long term to transform education in the province. Quick fixes will not fix the systemic challenges we have to address. We remain committed to redress, equity and ensuring access to meet these challenges.

Success at matric must be built on foundational learning in primary school, and our revision of our numeracy and literacy strategy is critical. We have made progress in the way we monitor and support this strategy. Our decision to appoint teaching assistants next year will assist us in building a solid foundation for later years.

I remain convinced that a key contributing factor to current levels of numeracy and literacy is the issue of language. We are working towards a policy to encourage schools to maintain mother-tongue based education as far as the end of Grade 6, while simultaneously adding a second language, which could become as strong as the first by the end of the 6-year exposure.

Meanwhile, the matric results of 2005 indicate that many are already meeting the challenges we are facing in education, in all communities. We celebrate these successes as we release the 2005 matric results today.

• The media will publish the results at 06h00 on Friday, 30 December. Candidates will be able to look of their results from this time on the WCED web site at http://wced.wcape.gov.za, or via Cape Gateway on http://www.capegateway.gov.za. The WCED Examinations Helpline is also available on (021) 467-2300 for queries about results.

• The speech delivered by Cameron Dugmore, MEC for Education, when officially announcing the 2005 Senior Certificate results, is available on the WCED web site by clicking here.

For further information, contact Brian Schreuder 082-373-5989; Gert Witbooi 082-550-3938.