More Cape matrics qualify for university
2012-01-05 18:00
Cape Town - The number of matrics who qualified for university bachelor degrees increased significantly in the Western Cape in 2011, Education MEC Donald Grant said on Thursday.
More children in the province now had access to schools staffed with qualified teachers who were present, prepared and using texts, he told reporters at his office in Cape Town.
Schools were also being managed by competent and accountable principals.
"In 2011, we significantly increased the number of candidates who achieved access to bachelor degree study.
"This significant achievement indicates that the education system is maturing and the quality of education in the Western Cape is steadily improving."
The results show that 801 more pupils qualified for bachelor degree study in the province in 2011 compared to 2010.
The number had steadily increased over the last three years. The total number eligible had increased from 14 324 in 2009 to 15 215 in 2011.
The pass rate for the province increased from 76.8% to 82.9% in 2011, making it the best performing province in the country, ahead of Gauteng.
Grant said there had also been a significant improvement in the number of "A" symbols attained in 2011 compared to 2010.
He was particularly pleased with Imizamo Yethu Secondary in Thembalethu, George, which improved its pass rate from 27% in 2010 to 82% in 2011.
Masiyele Secondary School improved its pass rate from 34% in 2010 to 86.8% in 2011.
Some 68.7% of candidates passed mathematics, compared to 66% in 2010, while 65.3% passed physical science.
Grant said a top priority for the province was to reduce the number of schools achieving a percentage pass rate of less than 60%.
- SAPA
