Pretoria - The KwaZulu-Natal government has set a target to reach a 80 percent matric pass rate by 2014.
Speaking during the State of the Province Address on Wednesday, Premier, Dr Zweli Mkhize, said while it will be expected that the matric pass rate should substantially increase in 2010, ideally KwaZulu-Natal must reach 80 percent by 2014.
Last year, the province improved its pass rate to 61.1 percent from 57.6 percent in 2008 and of the 132 176 learners who wrote the examination, 80 733 passed with 26 287 qualifying to study at university.
"The situation in the education sector should be understood in the context of what Madiba once pointed out that, after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb," Mkhize said.
He commended the level of commitment and dedication he observed during the schools visits.
"Our school visits have convinced me that with adequate support in the future, our province will be respected for the high quality of education and the product it will produce."
The provincial government also reiterated its commitment to the national target of improving literacy to 60 percent and assessment tests to be done at Grades 3, 6 and 9.
He said the province will now embark on the campaign "My child is your child. Your child is my child".
The campaign focuses on reintroducing good management practices in school, parental and community involvement in the discipline of children, elimination of drug abuse and abuse of girl children.
It also focuses on creating orderly and safe schools while ensuring parental interest in the progress and performance of the child at school.
