GP targets 80% matric pass rate by 2014

Monday, September 5, 2011

Pretoria - While Gauteng does not have a specific target pass rate for this year's matric exams, Education MEC Barbara Creecy says the focus is on achieving an 80% pass rate by 2014.

"We would like to see a consolidation of results at these levels so that we eliminate the trend of results going up in one year and tumbling the following year. The pass rate in the 2010 examinations was 78.6% and the target is 80% by 2014," Creecy said.

She visited a site at Randfontein High School over the weekend, which is part of the Secondary School Improvement Plan (SSIP). Creecy encouraged learners to establish study groups and take advantage of the study camps ahead of the finals. 

The site accommodates 808 learners from rural and Randfontein schools with an average learner attendance of between 70% and 84%. There are 61 tutors teaching 10 subjects. 

Since February, learners in the province have been attending classes in all SSIP sites, which focuses on final revision and exam technique during Saturdays and school holidays.

Creecy encouraged learners to study harder as the final Grade 12 examinations will start in six weeks.

Explaining the importance of preliminary exams, which start this week, Creecy said they give learners an opportunity to experience first-hand questions they are likely to face in the finals. 

"Prelims also contribute to the school based assessment mark, which makes up 25% of the matric mark," said the MEC. - BuaNews