Concerned political parties comment on 2014 matric pass rate

Loyiso Langeni
06 January 2015

Several political parties have congratulated the matric class of 2014 however they say the country’s education system needs a lot of improvement. 

The Democratic Alliance’s MP of Basic Education Annette Lovemore said the results demonstrate the urgent need for a single minded-focus on improving the quality of education.

Lovermore said in the Eastern Cape, which is one of the poorest provinces and traditionally done badly in the matric exams, only 30% of learners who were in Grade 10 actually wrote and passed the matric exams. That is astonishing and has to be addressed.

“There are still massive inequalities in our education system.” Lovermore said. 

Economic Freedom Fighters Acting National Spokesperson Lehlohonolo Fana Mokoena said education in the country will remain sub-standard and inconsistent if the ANC does not act.

“We are of the opinion that the department is not being honest, in giving us a general good picture, how the education system in general is performing, because what they give us is year on year final results which on paper look good but when you look at the entire system you see that there is a dropout rate the department is not speaking of.” Mokoena added.

Meanwhile the Congress of the People’s Deidre Carter said the education system continues to fail our youth. 

Carter added that the drop of the 2.4 % in the past rate is of great concern.

“The biggest concern relates to adequacies in Mathematics, Science and Economics as well as Businesses Studies.” Carter said.