'It's mind-boggling': 9,300 EC pupils have not passed a single grade before matric
This means about 10% of matriculants are at risk of failing, as 92 351 pupils have enrolled for Grade 12 in the Eastern Cape for the 2024 academic year.
FILE: A matric pupil in class. Picture: Department of Basic Education/X
John Maytham interviewed Executive Director at the National Professional Teachers' Organisation of South Africa (Naptosa), Basil Manuel.
Listen to their conversation in the audio clip below.
According to a recent News24 article, 9300 matric pupils in the Eastern Cape have not passed a single grade before matric.
"I am stunned!"
- Basil Manuel, Executive Director - National Professional Teachers' Organisation of South Africa (Naptosa)
The province's MEC for Education, Fundile Gade has reportedly said these pupils have been beneficiaries of the Education Department's progression policy.
"There is a policy where a learner can be progressed but of course does need to meet a certain number of requirements. It's impossible not to have passed a single subject. You can't just be progressed year after year and that is what boggles the mind."
- Basil Manuel, Executive Director - National Professional Teachers' Organisation of South Africa (Naptosa)
The article explains: "The department's progression policy has applied to public schools since 2005 and is intended to minimise the high dropout rate and maximise school retention. According to the policy, a pupil who fails a grade for the second time cannot be retained in the grade but must be allowed to progress to the next grade. The system applies to pupils from Grade R to Grade 11. However, in Grade 12, such a pupil must satisfy all the requirements of the National Senior Certificate to be awarded the matric certificate."
This means about 10% of matriculants are at risk of failing, as 92 351 pupils have enrolled for Grade 12 in the province for the 2024 academic year.
"How it could happen that you simply just get pushed along is beyond my grasp."
- Basil Manuel, Executive Director - National Professional Teachers' Organisation of South Africa (Naptosa)
"Teachers by in large have a huge problem with the policy on progression. We've debated this ad nauseam."
- Basil Manuel, Executive Director - National Professional Teachers' Organisation of South Africa (Naptosa)
Scroll up to listen to the full interview.