Departmental spokesman Lunga Ngqengelele said the extent of the learner retention problem in grades 10 to 12 was "nowhere near the levels that were cited in the SA Human Rights Commission's report and the media.
"Learner retention, as measured by progression rates estimates, indicates an improving trend in general education since 1970. The learners born between 1970 and 1974 showed a progression rate of 71.6 percent to Grade 9, while the learners born between 1985 and 1989 had a progression rate of 86.2 percent to Grade 9. The education department was hard at work to improve support for pupils and learner retention, said Ngqengelele.
The capital budget for provincial infrastructure in 2007/8 was R3,486 billion (an increase of 947 percent over 1998/9) and was set to grow to R5,253 billion in 2010/11 (an increase of 1425 percent over 1998/9). The number of no fee schools in 2008 was 14,264, said Ngqengelele.
The department had finalised plans for a programme to support the 196,164 unsuccessful 2007 Senior Certificate candidates. This was a once-off support programme that would only be offered from February to May 2008.
A task team had been created to recruit foreign teachers. Over 50 countries were approached, most of whom have similar problems. Indian and Egyptian recruitment agencies had been approached and consideration given to using the services of the US "Peace Corps", Ngqengelele said.
"A database of maths and science educators seeking employment contained the names of 204 South Africans and 520 foreigners. Of the 724 teachers, 600 had been matched and placed at dinaledi schools on January 1," said Ngqengelele.
The department would also establish a learner unit record
information and tracking system (LURITS). The first phase would be completed by the end of February and would be implemented from April.
The Kha Ri Gude Mass Literacy Campaign would be launched on
Thursday, said Ngqengelele.
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