The 2009 National Senior Certificate results clearly indicate that our education system needs focused attention and direction.

While the Western Cape's Grade 12 pass rate remains highest in the country, it has decreased by almost 10% over the last five years. In 2009, 75.7% of our learners passed their examinations, with 31.9% qualifying for access to studies for bachelors degrees.

The number of underperforming schools in the province has increased from 74 to 85 since 2008, with 17 schools attaining a pass rate of under 40%. This is particularly concerning, given that this number has consistently increased over the last four years. In 2006, 36 schools were classified as under-performing, this rose to 54 in 2007, 74 in 2008, and 85 today.

There is no doubt that urgent intervention is needed to stop this decline and that this intervention must be targeted and specific.

In November 2009 we announced our strategic plan for education which intends to improve education outcomes in the province, and provides targets for improvement in literacy and numeracy, National Senior Certificate examination results and under-performing schools.

Specific targets for 2010 include an improvement in the Grade 12 pass rate to 80%, an increase in the number of learners writing the examinations, and a reduction in the number of underperforming high schools to 55. By 2014, we plan to have reduced this number zero.

The further deterioration in 2009 makes these targets ambitious. But we are determined to succeed. While we realize that there is no quick fix in education, we believe that these targets are achievable with dedicated and targeted planning and support.

Following the release of the 2009 NSC examinations, the superintendent-general of education in the Western Cape, Ms Penny Vinjevold met with the 8 district directors to develop a detailed plan to improve the Western Cape’s NSC pass rate. This included a comprehensive analysis of all schools writing the NSC, focusing on the number of learners passing and the pass rate of each school over the last three years.

A detailed analysis of each subject was also completed, with a specific focus on the subjects with high failure rates. To achieve an 80% pass rate in the Western Cape, we will need to get at least 36 000 NSC passes in 2010. This amounts to 2000 more passes than in 2009. Therefore, all high schools have been encouraged to contribute to the additional 2 000 passes and the districts have agreed on pro rata minimum targets for their respective districts based on the number of passes in 2009.

The following minimum targets for additional passes in 2010 have been agreed upon by the districts:

• Cape Winelands : 300
• Eden and Karoo : 220
• Central : 350
• East : 280
• North : 380
• South : 300
• Overberg : 90
• West Coast: 80

In order to help assist the districts to achieve their stated targets, a number of management interventions have already been made to ensure that they have the requisite capacity to properly implement the plan.

All 64 independent high schools that write the NSC will from now on be the responsibility of Head Office and not the districts. This will free up the Districts to concentrate on state schools. All 64 in independent schools will be encouraged to improve their results in the 2010 examinations.

All 167 schools that achieved a pass rate of more then 90% have been congratulated and informed that they will receive assistance from the districts on request. This move has been warmly welcomed and will ensure that the Districts only have to focus on schools that are in real need of assistance.

The 101 schools that achieved pass rates between 60% and 89% have been visited by Circuit Team Managers to share the results and to identify particular support required from the department to help improve learner outcomes at these schools. All these schools are expected to achieve more passes per school in 2010.

The 85 schools with under 60% pass rate in 2009, have been visited in the last two weeks and a detailed plan for improvements developed. All these schools are also expected to increase their pass rate and produce more passes in 2010.

After consultation with the schools, each district has developed individual school management plans to increase numbers and pass percentages of Grade 12 learners in 2010. These plans include:

• Setting targets for individual school improvement.
• Improving school management by monitoring teacher and learner attendance using our existing CEMIS system. We are determined to decrease learner and teacher absenteeism from an average 8-10% to 2%. This will dramatically increase the time spent delivering a quality curriculum.
• Ensuring that principals are in school, on time, everyday, all day. The WCED has written to all principals indicating that no training events take place and has indicated that no training workshops, seminars or events disrupt teaching time.
• Providing management support to our underperforming schools by our Circuit Team Managers. Where appropriate, we will use retired principals who express a willingness to assist.

Another targeted intervention is to increase the pass rate in high enrolment subjects with high failure rates. After analyzing the 2009 results, we have identified a number of subjects that deserve special attention. These are Mathematics, Physical Science, Geography, Life Sciences, Accounting and Economics.

Here, we will focus on specific areas of the syllabus where there is a high mark burden, but which are difficult to teach. Our support to teachers and learners will take the form of:

• Tutors in schools, telematics, DVDs, extra textbooks, past papers and teacher training.
• Subject specific support at all schools with passes below the provincial average.
• Specialist teachers to teach specific sections of the curriculum at these schools. This will have both short term benefits for the class of 2010, as well as long term benefits for the teachers who will be acquiring additional skills and knowledge.

In terms of improving individual learner performance, we will:

• Encourage teachers to take responsibility for individual learners in their class. The mentorship of these learners will have a dramatic impact of these learners confidence and their willingness to learn.
• Conduct a “textbook survey” of all grade 12 learners to see if they have textbooks. We have committed ourselves to provide these textbooks, and will deliver packages of support material by 1 March 2010.

The impact of all these initiatives will be tracked and monitored closely during the year, to ensure that any weaknesses are corrected in good time.

In summary, in order to attain an 80% pass rate in 2010, we have undertaken a comprehensive analysis of the NSC results, set realistic targets for improvement in individual districts and developed a number of subject specific interventions.

We encourage teachers, principals and parents to embrace this plan and help us achieve the targets we have set. Feedback from schools has already been positive, and I am confident that in January 2011, we will be celebrating our class of 2010’s achievement and a decrease in the number of underperforming schools.

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