MEDIA STATEMENT ON THE RELEASE OF MATRIC RESULTS FOR THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2011

The release of the matric results coincide with the celebrations of the 100 years of the celebration of the existence of the ANC, the party that championed the transformation of our country through education.

The 70, 1% pass rate achieved nationally and 68, 1% achieved in this province is a major milestone and should be viewed as a victory over Bantu Education.

The inequalities that are still evident can be attributed to the Bantu Education which was designed solely to deprive the majority of our people access to resources and empowerment initiatives.

It should be noted that for over 100 years, education became a glue that united all forces and ordinary people of this country against the apartheid machinery. It was through education that the major uprising was mounted against the apartheid - the famous Soweto uprising in 1976.

We are therefore humbled by the dedication of the people of KwaZulu-Natal who for many years have ensured that we work as a collective to ensure decent education for our children.

They have done this despite all socio-economic challenges that we are facing considering that KZN is mainly rural. Today, we can all rejoice and say the type of education we have under the democratic government will put this province on a new path of socio-economic trajectory.

With regards to the matric results for the 2011 Academic Year, the ANC:-· Notes that KZN has the largest number of learners who sat for the matric examination - 127 044. Clearly, the ANC led government has ensured that the doors of learning remain open;

· In KZN, we have been able to ensure that 83 201 learners passed their matric examination. The second province behind KZN is Gauteng with 69 000. This number is indicative of our contribution as the province towards ensuring a skilled populace in the whole country;

· Mathematics and physical science require urgent attention. In this regard, the ANC calls on government and the private sector to invest in the provision of latest technology in schools to ensure that learners have access to laboratories and modern libraries;

· Bachelor pass rate in KwaZulu-Natal is high (27 397) compared to other province except Gauteng (30 000) and this should be a feat worth to be celebrated by all;

· We welcome the announcement by the provincial chairperson of the ANC, in his capacity as the premier, Dr Zweli Mkhize that a special Academic School of Excellence will be established this year and located in Umkhanyakude District Municipality. This academic institution will undoubtedly ensure the provision of quality education in this district which hardest hit by poverty, rural nature and underdevelopment. It is of particular concern that although Umkhanyakude achieved more than 62% in 2010, the district had dropped just above 55% in 2011.

- We are encouraged by the announcement by the MEC for Education Senzo Mchunu that a team of experts, academics and senior government officials will be roped in to analyze the results and put in place measures to turn the situation around.

- Importantly, we have noted the decrease but we are encouraged by the commitment that has been articulated by the MEC and teachers unions that, this province will pick up the pieces and carry on.

As part of the centenary celebrations, the ANC has dedicated the month of January to the first president of the ANC Dr John Langalibalele Dube. He was an intellectual and an educator who founded Ohlange Institute with a sole objective of liberating our people through education.

Under the theme "Doors of Learning Shall be opened" the ANC will embark on a campaign aimed at strengthening partnerships amongst teachers unions, school principals and school governing bodies.

Members of parliament deployed by the ANC will be going around making unannounced visits to schools on regularly basis. They will be doing so to ensure that "learners are at school, teachers are teaching and that parents are part of the learning process."

These visits are also aimed at monitoring progress in terms of addressing challenges that stand between a decent education and learners. These challenges include overcrowding and a lack of basic infrastructure like water and sanitation.

Statement issued by Sihle Zikalala, ANC KwaZulu-Natal Provincial secretary, January 5 2012

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