The continuing improvement in the matriculation results is indicative of the successes of the efforts of the teachers, learners, parents and education authorities to improve the culture of learning, teaching and service in our schools.
All the matriculation learners who sat for their examinations had thoroughly prepared themselves for the test that would open the doors for the furtherance of their studies beyond school level. I take this opportunity to express our commendation to all of them for the efforts they put in the preparations for their examinations.
We are very encouraged by the number of public schools that have recorded great improvement on their 1998 results. This, they achieved because they had correctly identified their shortcomings in 1998 and corrected them.
As was the case in the previous years, a few schools put an extra effort to their work and, for that, they were rewarded with 100% success. Some of the schools like Leshata Secondary in Orange Farm achieved this remarkable result despite having had to function under less than normal conditions. To the learners, teachers and parents at these schools we say; keep up the good work.
All the learners who have achieved successes in the matriculation examinations have not only made all of us proud but have also opened the door of opportunities for them to pursue their careers and academic studies beyond school level. For their achievement they deserve a big CONGRATULATION.
The challenge for both government and the private sector is to harness the potential, creativity and the energies that these young South Africans have and develop them so that they can make a more meaningful contribution the development of their country. We cannot afford to fail them.
Some of our learners have unfortunately not been able to achieve the same successes in the examinations as others did. They must not think that the earth has come down crashing. They have worked hard enough in preparation for the exams but will have to repeat the class and pay more attention to some of the details they may have overlooked during the academic year 1999.
We remain concerned about a number of schools which continue to record very low pass rates. The MEC and the Education Department together with the teachers, learners and parents will have to work harder in the coming year to correct the situation.
On behalf of the Gauteng Provincial Government I would like to express appreciation of the efforts of all the teachers, learners, parents and education authorities in ensuring the smooth running of the 1999 matriculation examinations.
Issued by:
Office of the Premier
Gauteng Provincial Government
29 December 1999.