Statement by Yousuf Gabru, MEC for Education in the Western Cape

The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has presented additional awards to schools and candidates for meritorious achievement in the 2008 National Senior Certificate examinations.

The WCED presented the awards in eight categories to 10 schools and 20 top achievers at a ceremony held today (Thursday, 19 February 2009) at the Gardens Commercial High School in Cape Town.

Schools received awards in three categories and candidates received the awards in five categories.

The WCED presents awards annually to schools and candidates for:

• Achieving excellent results in the Senior Certificate examinations
• Demonstrating progressive improvement in Senior Certificate results
• Demonstrating excellence within a particular context.

The WCED presented the first National Senior Certificate awards on 30 December 2008. The department announced at the time that it would present further awards early in 2009, following further analysis.

The WCED therefore presented additional awards today in the following categories:

Schools

Category 2b - 1: Highest subject distinction average

Three schools received awards for achieving the highest number of subject distinctions, in relation to the number of learners that wrote the 2008 National Senior Certificate examinations in the particular school.

1. Springfield Convent of the Holy Rosary
2. Westerford High School
3. Herschel High School

Category 2b - 2: Highest Subject distinction within the context of study

Three schools from historically disadvantaged contexts received awards for achieving the highest number of subject distinctions in relation to the total number of learners that wrote the 2008 National Senior Certificate examinations in the particular school.

1. Centre of Science and Technology
2. Cape Academy of Maths, Science and Technology
3. South Peninsula High School.

Category 2c: Access to B. Degree within the context of study

Five schools from historically disadvantaged contexts received awards for achieving the highest number of candidates who met the Higher Education requirements for Bachelor's degree, in relation to the number of learners that wrote the 2008 National Senior Certificate examinations in the particular school.

1. Hector Peterson Secondary School
2. Vista Nova-School
3. Rylands High School
4. Livingstone High School
5. Centre of Science and Technology.

Learners

The WCED is pleased to be able to recognise learners from historically disadvantaged contexts who have performed excellently in the 2008 National Senior Certificate Examination. Although they have not been placed on the WCED Merit List, they are the top achievers in their contexts.

Category 2: Outstanding achievement within the context of study

The WCED presented awards to the top 10 candidates, according to their marks obtained in the six best subjects that fulfilled the requirements for the award of a National Senior Certificate (two Languages, Mathematics / Mathematical Literacy and three other subjects excluding Life Orientation). Candidates must have achieved at least 80% in at least three subjects.

1. Lenga Lwando, Khayamnandi Secondary School
2. Allyson Adams, South Peninsula High School
3. Zakariyya Harnekar, South Peninsula High School
4. Shafeeqah Allie, Livingstone High School
5. Hauwa Jaffer, Livingstone High School
6. Jacquine Andrews, Cape Academy of Maths, Science and Technology
7. Sideeqa Jakoet, Harold Cressy High School
8. Quinton Paulse, Zandvliet High School
9. Marco Lawrence, Mondale HighSchool
10. Javaad Patel, Harold Cressy High School and Tracey Jooste, Weston Secondary School

Category 3a: Excellence in Mathematics within the context of study

Three candidates received awards for obtaining the highest marks in Mathematics in their contexts.

1. Lenga Lwando, Kayamnandi Secondary School
2. Siyabulela Mapuza, Maitland Secondary School
3. Sideeqa Jakoet, Harold Cressy High School

Category 3b: Excellence in Mathematics (girl learner) within the context of study

Three girl learners received awards for obtaining the highest marks in Mathematics in their contexts. This category excluded the winners of Category 3a.

1. Sofiya Ayub, Rylands High School
2. Halima Zalgaonkir, South Peninsula High School
3. Tracey Jooste, Weston Secondary School

Category 3e: Excellence in Physical Sciences (girl learner) within the context of study

Three girl learners received awards for obtaining the highest marks in Physical Sciences, in their contexts.

1. Kaneez Sayed, Livingstone High School
2. Tracy Fullard, Belgravia Secondary School
3. Aalia Sait, Livingstone High School

Category 6: Excellence despite barriers to learning

This award was made to the top three candidates who obtained the highest total mark in the National Senior Certificate despite significant barriers to learning. The candidates attended ELSEN schools.

1. Noluthando Ntsimango, Athlone School for the Blind
2. Stephen Benford, Vista Nova School
3. Simone Geale, Vista Nova School

The winning schools received additional funding for learning and teaching support materials, while the candidates received a financial contribution from the WCED towards their future studies. The top five candidates in Category 2 received laptops from Mustek and additional funding from Maskew Miller Longman.

For enquiries, contact Millicent Merton:  072 724 1422 or mmerton@pgwc.gov.za or Paddy Attwell: pattwell@pgwc.gov.za.

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