While thousands of learners will be starting schooling for the first time in their lives, thousands others who started their schooling over a decade ago will at the end of this year be sitting for their matric exams.

The Class of 2019 have run their race well keeping Gauteng amongst the top performing provinces in the country at number two (87.23%). The fact that this province has one of  largest matric examination enrolments (97 717 for 2019) of all provinces and it produces some of the highest overall pass rates and bachelor rates (44.46% exceeding 2019 target of 40%), while contributing 23.4% (43 494) of all bachelors achieved nationally, talks to the commitment by the ANC-led government to transform and modernize the basic education landscape in Gauteng. The Class of 2020 is expected to emulate their predecessors and even surpass them.

“As we start the 2020 schooling year, the fact that the learners have made it to this point means that they have what it takes to produces good results. However, this requires both the leaners and the educators to be determined to do well from the onset and this means that they must waste no time in engaging themselves with the content of their subjects,” explains Bones Modise, ANC Gauteng Spokesperson, further emphasizing the role that families, the local community and non-governmental institutions in the education sector also play in providing support to the leaners.

Modise says the ANC-led government in Gauteng has over the years invested in no-fee paying schools which has meant that more learners get to complete their schooling. The introduction of the schools of specialisation has also been a major game changer in bridging the gap between demand and supply of skilled labour.

The ANC welcomes the fact that for the first time this year (2020), primary schools performance for the period 2019 will be announced. This is an important milestone as it will help to improve the overall performance of our secondary schooling.

Meanwhile, the ANC in Gauteng has expressed concern at the rising incidents of schools that are being set alight after the administration block of Khutlo-Tharo Secondary School in Sebokeng caught fire in the early hours of Wednesday (15 January) morning.  This is the second incident this year after Tokelo Secondary School in Evaton suffered damages estimated at R4 million as a result of an act of arson.

The ANC reiterates its call for the law enforcement agencies to spare no effort in resolving these cases and ensure that those responsible for the heinous acts get to face the full might of the law.

END//

Issued by the ANC Gauteng Province

For more information:
Bones Modise
Head of Communication / PEC Spokesperson
ANC Gauteng Province
082 545 5553

Or

Motalatale Modiba
Media Liaison Office
ANC Gauteng Province
072 515 3022