‘Township schools outshone model C’

File photo: Paballo Thekiso

File photo: Paballo Thekiso

Published Jan 7, 2014

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Johannesburg - For the first time since the dawn of democracy, township schools have outshone model C schools with matric results in Gauteng, the provincial education department said on Tuesday.

The top performing matriculant was a black pupil from the school improvement programme, MEC Barbara Creecy said at the announcement of the results in Johannesburg.

Despite many problems and violent protests, the matric pass rates in many Bekkersdal schools improved. These included the Simunye SS in Bekkersdal, which increased its pass rate from 55 percent in 2012 to 72.2 in 2013.

Areas such as Soweto and Eldorado Park also increased their matric pass rate from 65.4 percent in 2012, to 84.7 percent in 2013.

“The education of an African child can no longer be negotiated,” Gauteng premier Nomvula Mokonyane said. She also made mention of the improved matric results of black girls.

“The African girl child can no longer be judged by marriage or children,” Mokonyane said.

“You can do anything you want as an African girl child. The country has made it possible for you.”

The improvement in matric results was part of the promise President Jacob Zuma made in the National Assembly to make education a priority.

Creecy urged pupils who did not pass matric to go to their schools and see if they could write supplementary exams.

“We know that many of you gave your best. We want to say that you are not alone. If you are feeling down, talk to someone that you trust or talk to support structures such as Lifeline or Childline,” Creecy said. -Sapa

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