The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) will measure matric results against targets set earlier this year when the results are announced in December.

We announced earlier this year that schools were setting targets after careful analysis of last year's results and consultation with the broad education community.

For the first time ever, school principals, governing bodies and Representative Councils of Learners signed commitments during the first term of 2007 to set targets to improve the quality of matric pass rates in the Western Cape.

This has been a tough year, with the public service strike punching a hole in the middle of the school year.

However, learners, schools and WCED support staff rallied well after the strike to catch up, with the help of Winter and Summer schools, extra classes after hours and on Saturday mornings, and our radio revision programmes.

It remains to be seen whether the strike has affected matric results. However, the catch-up programmes may well have helped to improve the results of those who actively participated, by bringing a special focus to their studies.

The targets for high schools cover matric endorsement rates, pass rates, and the number of candidates completing Mathematics and Science on both the higher and standard grades.

We also asked schools to set targets to reduce the number of learners dropping out of school. Our matric pass rates do not mean much if large numbers of learners leave school without completing matric or without proceeding to an FET college.

We have to commit ourselves to excellence on all levels to grow the people we need to grow and share the Cape. Targets provide important benchmarks for measuring our progress.

Meanwhile, the WCED is working with schools on setting targets for achievement in literacy and numeracy.

An action plan must accompany every set of targets. The plans indicate what steps will be taken to achieve the targets and could include winter schools, extra tuition after normal school hours, among other kinds of remedial action.

The WCED has allocated R1-million to help schools in the nodal zones of Khayelitsha and Mitchell's Plain to fund special initiatives to meet these targets, including classes after-hours and related programmes.

The WCED will use the targets to hold all responsible to account, including WCED management and support staff. In the end, we want the targets to encourage excellence and to provide clear objectives as we strive to provide quality education for all.

Short-term targets

The WCED has set short-term targets for 2007, with a view to setting medium and long-term targets, informed by lessons learnt from this year's target-setting exercise. These short-term targets include the following:

Grade 12

• Schools that achieved a matric pass rate of below 60% in 2006 must achieve a pass rate of 60% in 2007.
• Schools that achieved above 60% in 2006 must aim for a 10% increase in 2007.
• Schools that achieved 90% in 2006 are congratulated are encouraged to pursue improved results for 2007, especially an improved endorsement rate.
• All schools should target a 100% throughput of learners within Grade 12 and within the Further Education and Training Band.

Focus schools

• Mathematics and Science Focus Schools: per year increase in the school's enrolment and a 10 % increase on 2006 in the average mark of Grades 9 and 10 learners in the focus area subjects.
• Arts and Culture Focus Schools: per year increase in the school's enrolment and a 10 % increase on 2006 in the average mark of Grades 9 and 10 learners in the focus area subjects.
• Commerce and Business Management Focus Schools: per year increase in the school's enrolment and a 10 % increase on 2006 in the average mark of Grades 9 and 10 learners in the focus area subjects.

Primary schools

• 100% throughput of learners in Foundation Phase, Intermediate Phase and Senior Phase.
• 10% increase per year in literacy and numeracy levels in Grades 3, 6 and 8

Target basis

Targets must be based on an analysis of each school's results and learner data for the years 2003 to 2006.

Principals and school management teams were encouraged to consult with all teachers concerned and convene regular meetings with the staff to monitor and track progress towards these targets. Circuit managers were asked to facilitate this process with schools and to assist schools where necessary.

Endorsements

The department asked all secondary schools to develop a three-year strategy for the improvement in the number of endorsements achieved in the Grade 12 examinations. Given that endorsements depend on subject choice, the WCED noted that schools needed to develop long-term strategies for improving the number of endorsements.

Schools finalised their targets by 30 March 2007. Targets for the following years should be set each November.

For enquiries, contact Gert Witbooi:  082 550 3938, or gwitbooi@pgwc.gov.za.

Visit our website: http://wced.wcape.gov.za

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