ACDP, DA congratulate class of 2023, share concern govt not producing employable matriculants
Both parties argue that government’s education system has failed to produce pupils capable of meeting the needs of the economy.
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CAPE TOWN - The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) has extended its congratulations to the matric class of 2023 but says it is concerned that the education system is not producing suitable candidates for the world of work.
ACDP member of Parliament (MP) Marie Sukers said youth unemployment proved that the country’s education system failed to meet the needs of the economy.
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She said congratulations should go to the learners who overcame great adversities to obtain the National Senior Certificate and not a failing education system.
“Everybody is chasing a pass rate, but we are not looking at the overhaul that the system needs, in terms of not a singular system, and every child needs to fit into this system.”
Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) cast doubt on the 82.9% matric pass rate, saying when school dropouts are taken into account, the real pass rate is only around 55%.
Congratulating matriculants, especially those with great challenges to overcome, DA MP Baxolile Nodada noted that more than 345,000 learners dropped out of school between grade 10 in 2021 and grade 12 in 2023.
“This ANC [African National Congress] government’s only focus seems to be quantity over quality, thinking that it’s an improvement from previous years.
“This skewed focus on how many learners can be pushed through the system should be scrapped in favour of the quality of skills gained, so learners have a shot at being employable and bettering their circumstances.”