Matric pass rate expected to be lower
By Okuhle Hlati
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WHILE this year s matric pass rate for state schools is expected to decline from the 81.3% recorded in 2019, teacher unions and education experts predict there will not be a drastic drop in the quality of pass rate.
Department of Basic Education (DBE) Minister Angie Motshekga is expected to release the 2020 National Senior Certificate exam results today, and district results will be announced tomorrow.
The Independent Examinations Board National Senior Certificate (NSC) recorded a 98.07% pass rate, slightly lower than the 2019 pass rate of 98.82%.
This comes as quality assurer Umalusi last week gave the green light for the release of the results.
Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga announced the 2020 matric exam results on Monday, 22 February, in Pretoria.
In the past, Motshekga would invite top-performing students from across South Africa to breakfast on the morning of the matric pass rate announcement.
But, because of the pandemic, none of the top achievers travelled to the announcement event this year; instead, they joined in virtually.
Although the overall pass rate has steadily increased over the years, the pandemic threw a spanner in the works for the class of 2020 who spent almost six months of their academic year at home because of the lockdown.
This not only affected learner outcomes but also exacerbated the inequalities that exist in the public education system.
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Basil Manuel was speaking to Radio Islam on Monday about the reopening of schools.
Briefing the media on school readiness yesterday, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga revealed that a thousand-169 educators have succumbed to COVID-19.
The country’s five major teacher unions recently did a survey, which showed that 66% of public school principals have indicated that they are ready for the schools to open.
Schools are ready claims Motshegka, but Naptosa sings a different song
15 February 2021 6:55 AM Naptosa
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As public schools return on Monday for the delayed start of the 2021 school year, Africa Melane asks, are they are ready?
After a delayed start to the 2021 school year as a result of the second wave of Covid-19, hundreds of thousands of public school pupils return to the classroom this morning (Monday), but are schools ready to receive them.
Basic Education minister Angie Motshegka confided says schools are ready and that the health and safety of children and staff is a top priority.
But teaching union Naptosa has been carrying out its own research on school readiness.