38 000 Grade 11s must repeat

2007-02-08 22:52

Johannesburg - The national education department will not allow 38 000 failed Grade 11 pupils in the Eastern Cape to be pushed through to matric this year, said director-general Duncan Hindle on Thursday.

"There is no decision, which will allow these students to move to Grade 12 in the same school, with a view to completing their matric in 2007. Any impression created that this is the case should be dispelled," he said.

Hindle was reacting to a Daily Dispatch report indicating that he had approved a proposal by the provincial education department to pass 38 000 grade 11 pupils who had failed in 2006.

"It is not correct to say that the department of education has approved the condonation of those learners who failed the Grade 11 examinations.

'Perception is incorrect'

"Such a move would fly in the face of our efforts to improve the standards and quality of education."

Eastern Cape education spokesperson Loyiso Pulumani said the report created the impression that the pupils "will float into Grade 12 willy-nilly".

"This perception is incorrect... we accepted the four proposals by the national department which allows pupils to repeat Grade 11, register as private candidates, apply for sector education training authorities learnerships or register part-time," he said.

The Daily Dispatch report said thousands of pupils were uncertain of their fate after failing Grade 11 in 2006 because provision had not been made for them.

Private candidates

A meeting was held between Hindle and the provincial education department to map a way forward on Wednesday.

Hindle said: "What has been supported is for the Eastern Cape department of education to register the 38 000 learners as private candidates, and allow them to complete their matric while following the old syllabus.

"This will give them until 2011 to complete," said Hindle.

Pulumani said the report was based on a "miscommunication".

- SAPA