Date: 29/09/2003
Source: Mpumalanga Provincial Government
Title: Padayachee: Mpumalanga's readiness for matric examinations
PRESS STATEMENT BY MPUMALANGA MEC FOR EDUCATION, CRAIG PADAYACHEE, AT PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE STATE OF READINESS OF EXAMINATIONS, 29 September 2003
Ladies and Gentlemen
You will recall that on 27 December last year I announced that the Department of Education has "turned the corner" in providing quality education to the people of this province. I announced a 9% improvement of Grade 12 results that was a 56% pass rate.
A lot has been done since then to consolidate and improve the gains we have achieved.
Some of the programmes we initiated include:
* A conference of all Senior Managers involving Circuit Managers was convened at Witbank in January 2003. The main objective of that conference was to conduct an assessment of the 2003 Grade 12 results, to consider ways of strengthening intervention programmes for school effectiveness, as well as to co-ordinate and re-align activities of the department.
* Consultative interactions were thereafter convened with all schools that had performed below 20%.
* We continued to visit all schools through cabinet outreach programmes to provide support and motivation.
* Pertinent resources were provided to schools that needed them.
* Curriculum implementers and Circuit Managers visited schools in accordance with the resolution of the January conference.
* Winter classes during July-August recess were successfully conducted.
* The whole school evaluation team regularly visited schools with emphasis on schools that under performed last year.
Recently, I visited Ekangala Region at KwaMhlanga as part of our programmes to improve school performance. Learners and educators themselves implemented numerous other efforts at different levels. These efforts should be commended.
I now wish to provide you with information on the state of readiness of the Grade 12 examinations for this year.
A total of 57 926 candidates have registered to sit for the examinations. Out of this, 40 802 are full-time candidates and the remaining 17 124 are part-time candidates.
The examinations will commence on 6 October 2003 and be completed on 19 November 2003.
Marking will commence on 23 November 2003 until 6 December 2003 by 2 687 competent markers who have been identified in accordance with current provisions.
Let me also take this opportunity to announce that marking will take place in nine marking centres all over the province.
The results will be released on 30 December 2003 after all the processes of standardisation by UMALUSI and other relevant institutional bodies.
Let me also take this opportunity to announce that elaborate security measures are in place to ensure the security and integrity of the forthcoming examinations. This includes security during the printing of the question papers, their safe storage and during transit to the various examination centres. We have, in conjunction with the relevant authorities, identified potential risk areas, and will be contending with these in the most appropriate manner.
The media will be kept informed on all developments as they unfold during the course of the entire examination process. Some of the issues will relate to information pertaining to how irregularities will be expeditiously dealt with, matters relating to supplementary examinations, as well as procedures relating to viewing of scripts, remarking and so forth.
Given that, by and large, we had a crisis free year, and that programmes aimed at consolidating the improvement were effectively implemented, we can look forward to greater improvement in the overall pass rate, as well as learner attainment in specific subjects. Taking into account the various interventions in areas of Mathematics, Science and Technology we certainly can anticipate greatly improved learner attainments. This expectation is a justifiable one because government, in collaboration with the private sector, as well as with other numerous agencies, has created an enabling environment for effective teaching and learning to take place.
PLANS FOR OPENING OF SCHOOLS NEXT YEAR: 2004
Learner Support Material (stationery and textbooks) has already been delivered to schools and top-ups will be provided in the event there are shortages. It is also encouraging to note that schools have already received their post establishments. This will ensure that all schools are ready to start with learning and teaching on the first day for 2004.
With all the preparations for 2004 in place, I want to appeal to parents and learners to make sure that they register for next year during the month of October 2003.
Also important, is that both parents and learners must make sure that textbooks are returned to school in good condition.
Enquiry: Thomas Msiza, (013) 766 5395 or 082 925 6351
Issued by: Mpumalanga Provincial Government
29 September 2003
Source: Mpumalanga Provincial Government
Title: Padayachee: Mpumalanga's readiness for matric examinations
PRESS STATEMENT BY MPUMALANGA MEC FOR EDUCATION, CRAIG PADAYACHEE, AT PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE STATE OF READINESS OF EXAMINATIONS, 29 September 2003
Ladies and Gentlemen
You will recall that on 27 December last year I announced that the Department of Education has "turned the corner" in providing quality education to the people of this province. I announced a 9% improvement of Grade 12 results that was a 56% pass rate.
A lot has been done since then to consolidate and improve the gains we have achieved.
Some of the programmes we initiated include:
* A conference of all Senior Managers involving Circuit Managers was convened at Witbank in January 2003. The main objective of that conference was to conduct an assessment of the 2003 Grade 12 results, to consider ways of strengthening intervention programmes for school effectiveness, as well as to co-ordinate and re-align activities of the department.
* Consultative interactions were thereafter convened with all schools that had performed below 20%.
* We continued to visit all schools through cabinet outreach programmes to provide support and motivation.
* Pertinent resources were provided to schools that needed them.
* Curriculum implementers and Circuit Managers visited schools in accordance with the resolution of the January conference.
* Winter classes during July-August recess were successfully conducted.
* The whole school evaluation team regularly visited schools with emphasis on schools that under performed last year.
Recently, I visited Ekangala Region at KwaMhlanga as part of our programmes to improve school performance. Learners and educators themselves implemented numerous other efforts at different levels. These efforts should be commended.
I now wish to provide you with information on the state of readiness of the Grade 12 examinations for this year.
A total of 57 926 candidates have registered to sit for the examinations. Out of this, 40 802 are full-time candidates and the remaining 17 124 are part-time candidates.
The examinations will commence on 6 October 2003 and be completed on 19 November 2003.
Marking will commence on 23 November 2003 until 6 December 2003 by 2 687 competent markers who have been identified in accordance with current provisions.
Let me also take this opportunity to announce that marking will take place in nine marking centres all over the province.
The results will be released on 30 December 2003 after all the processes of standardisation by UMALUSI and other relevant institutional bodies.
Let me also take this opportunity to announce that elaborate security measures are in place to ensure the security and integrity of the forthcoming examinations. This includes security during the printing of the question papers, their safe storage and during transit to the various examination centres. We have, in conjunction with the relevant authorities, identified potential risk areas, and will be contending with these in the most appropriate manner.
The media will be kept informed on all developments as they unfold during the course of the entire examination process. Some of the issues will relate to information pertaining to how irregularities will be expeditiously dealt with, matters relating to supplementary examinations, as well as procedures relating to viewing of scripts, remarking and so forth.
Given that, by and large, we had a crisis free year, and that programmes aimed at consolidating the improvement were effectively implemented, we can look forward to greater improvement in the overall pass rate, as well as learner attainment in specific subjects. Taking into account the various interventions in areas of Mathematics, Science and Technology we certainly can anticipate greatly improved learner attainments. This expectation is a justifiable one because government, in collaboration with the private sector, as well as with other numerous agencies, has created an enabling environment for effective teaching and learning to take place.
PLANS FOR OPENING OF SCHOOLS NEXT YEAR: 2004
Learner Support Material (stationery and textbooks) has already been delivered to schools and top-ups will be provided in the event there are shortages. It is also encouraging to note that schools have already received their post establishments. This will ensure that all schools are ready to start with learning and teaching on the first day for 2004.
With all the preparations for 2004 in place, I want to appeal to parents and learners to make sure that they register for next year during the month of October 2003.
Also important, is that both parents and learners must make sure that textbooks are returned to school in good condition.
Enquiry: Thomas Msiza, (013) 766 5395 or 082 925 6351
Issued by: Mpumalanga Provincial Government
29 September 2003
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