MEC Lerule-Ramakhanya confident in improving 2023 matric results

Limpopo

MEC for Education in Limpopo, Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya, said she is confident that the 2023 matric class will do better than the previous cohort.

Lerule-Ramakhanya said during the start of final matric examination that commenced on Monday 30 October. Limpopo has over 94 000 fulltime candidates registered to sit for Grade 12 examinations this year.

The MEC said learners and educators in all grades got enough support since the beginning of the year to prepare them for year-end examinations.

The MEC indicated that the intervention strategies by the department included Saturday classes, enrichment camps and accountability sessions for poor performing schools and circuits.

According to Lerule-Ramakhanya, Vhembe East Circuit has the highest number of candidates, followed by Capricorn South with Waterberg registering the lowest number of candidates. The MEC led the learner support programs in all the districts in the province.

The countdown to matric was held in Mopani East, 30 days before the start of the final exams to encourage candidates to do well.

The Matric Final Push Programme was held in Lephalale at Mabalane Seleka Technical High School, 13 days ahead of the first paper. The MEC addressed just over 400 matric learners from 5 different schools who were in the camp.

The final support activation was held in Vhembe West, Makhado EMPC, where over 1000 learners from 3 circuits were part of the pledge signing. The signing of the pledge 9 days before the start of the examination was a reminder to candidates to abide by the Examination Laws and rules.

MEC Lerule-Ramakhanya, has once again, pleaded with parents to give maximum support to the candidates, adding that they must not burden them with domestic chores.

She added that all stakeholders and the entire community must ensure that loud music, festivals and social gatherings are suppressed for the duration of the exams to give candidates ample time to study and focus.

“The call is extended to Liquor outlets owners and taxi drivers to mute the sound in support of the over 94 000 candidates and learners from other grades who will also start with their exams in November,” said Lerule-Ramakhanya.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Limpopo has sent well-wishes to the matric candidates in the province.

“We hope the Limpopo Department of Education has prepared our learners well and that we see a marked improvement from our NSC results from 2022, which were the lowest in the country,” said Katlego Phala, DA Spokesperson on Education in Limpopo.

However, Phala said the party acknowledge and commend the perseverance shown by learners to reach this stage and write these exams despite the challenges facing Limpopo’s education system such as limited support, overcrowded classrooms, dilapidated infrastructure, inappropriate and unsafe sanitation and challenges with the scholar transport and nutrition programmes.

 

“We urge all learners to do their best and for parents to provide them with support and encouragement. Obtaining a matric certificate is the stepping stone to a future filled with opportunity. The DA will keep a close eye on these exams by visiting schools in the province to assess the department’s readiness,” she said.