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Media Release

15 July, 2009

"Seize this opportunity to empower yourself," says MEC

Statement by Donald Grant, MEC for Education in the Western Cape

"Seize this opportunity to empower yourself."

This was the message the MEC Grant delivered to learners at the Bulumko Secondary school in Khayelitsha today.

Bulumko is one of the 23 schools in the Province that are holding a winter programme to help learners prepare for the Curriculum Statement examinations later this year.

The Western Cape Education Department assists the programme by providing lunches for the learners and learning materials.

"These programmes give our learners the opportunity to revise and strengthen their understanding and knowledge of subjects. It also allows more time for the schools to complete the curriculum."

The MEC thanked the learners for voluntarily participating in the programme and wished them all the best for the examinations at the end of the year.

"It is so important that you pass your examinations and that many of you receive a matriculation endorsement so that you can get into a tertiary institution."

"We live in a competitive global village and are therefore not just competing with other learners from Gauteng or the Free State, but with learners from around the world," he said.

The MEC said that too many learners were dropping out of the system early without the necessary skills to find employment.

"Of the 97 864 learners who enrolled in public schools in the Western Cape in 1997, only 43 470 learners made it to Grade 12 last year. Many of these learners are now unable to support themselves and are forced to rely on the state to support them. Therefore, you must empower yourself through education and grab the opportunities presented to you."

The MEC also thanked the teachers for giving up their time and talents to help the learners.

"These teachers are not getting paid for this. They are doing it because they want these learners to succeed."

"The secret to success is a result of dedication, hard work and learning, all of which are evident here today."

Grant said that programmes such as this would be rolled out on a larger scale in 2010.

"The July holidays have been extended to five weeks next year. This time can be used productively to help prepare our Grade 12's for their examinations. We will specifically tackle our underperforming schools and assist those that are also at risk of becoming an NSLA school."

For enquiries, contact Bronagh Casey:  072 724 1422 or brcasey@pgwc.gov.za.


Issued by:
Bronagh Casey
Media Liaison Officer
Office of the MEC for Education
Western Cape
Tel: 021 467 2377
Fax: 021 425 5689

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


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