Pretoria - Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga has wished the Class of 2011 all the best for the academic year which starts next week, calling on them to improve on 2010's results.
The minister announced a 67.8 percent pass rate for the National Senior Certificate earlier this morning.
"The Class of 2010 has shown us there is no mountain we can't climb when we are up to the challenge," she said, adding that pupils, parents, teachers and all citizens should pull together to support all learners from Grade 1 up to Grade 12.
Over this year, the Department of Education will work towards achieving the goals set out in the Action Plan to 2014: the Realisation of Schooling 2025. This Action Plan aims to assist in improving learning outcomes.
"Following discussions with education MECs, we have agreed on key priority areas for 2011. In December (2010), we also interacted with district managers and have shared these priorities with officials at national office.
"There is consensus that we need to focus on putting plans into real action, evaluate, monitor and deepen accountability measures in the entire system," said the minister.
She said last year, the department had started a process of assessing learners at the different exit points through Annual National Assessments in literacy and numeracy that are internationally benchmarked. The assessment grades are 3, 6 and 9.
"These assessments are much bigger in numbers as compared to matric exams. They will help in tracking progress and in promoting quality teaching and learning throughout the entire system. The
Annual National Assessments will take place in February 2011. The department will publish the results of schools through the media, between March and April," she explained.
In 2011, there will also be a continued focus on improving the curriculum.
"The Ministerial Project Committee, which is overseeing the development of the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statements (CAPS), has reported good progress.
"To date, CAPS for 40 of the 41 content subjects have been finalised and are ready for editing. Life Skills CAPS for the Foundation Phase will be finalised by 14 January 2011. The versioning of CAPS for languages is also in its final stages," said Motshekga.
She said teacher development will also be intensified to prepare educators for the implementation of the revised CAPS.
There will also be intensified focus on improving performance in Maths and Science, school infrastructure and the basic functionality of all schools.
"With resources allocated by Cabinet, at the end of 2010, we will be able to start dealing with inappropriate school structures, such as mud, tin and other unsuitable materials. We will build and renovate laboratories, libraries, specialist rooms and administration blocks where there are none. Between 2011 and 2014, we are committed to addressing all our sanitation and water supply challenges," committed the minister.
She added that textbooks and other learning and teaching materials had been identified as a priority.
Progress has been made on workbooks, which have been developed with huge savings. With the savings in the production and printing of workbooks, the department will strive to ensure that all learners between Grades 10 and 12 in the poor quintiles have a book in every subject.
"Our target is to ensure full coverage of learner support materials by 2014. We have agreed with all the provinces on a different procurement system, which would enable us to benefit from economies of scale - with few carefully selected titles," she said.
