MEDIA RELEASE - 7.46pm Cheryllyn Dudley MP ACDP ACDP COMMENDS CLASS OF 2014 FOR MANAGING TO HOLD THEIR OWN DESPITE CHANGES TO IMPROVE QUALITY - encourages parents to stand for election onto School Governing Bodies and to support those who do. - supports calls to protect every day and hour of school - says those who are diligent in this regard are proof of its value ACDP MP Cheryllyn Dudley said this evening that the ACDP commends the class of 2014 for managing to perform well despite necessary changes to the curriculum to ensure higher standards and improved quality of education. 7 million Question papers were printed and 41 thousand markers were employed to go through the 7 million scripts. The minister referred to the irregularities reported by these markers as a new phenomena. Umalusi - the quality assurance council who monitor question papers, the writing of exams and the results and deal with standardization requirements - are presently investigating reports of possible copying in a significant number of schools cleared many schools. Although many schools have been cleared, investigations are continuing. Umalusi has declared 2014 examinations free fair credible. In an effort to address issues of quality education a Task Team was established in 2009 and changes to the education system were recommended - CAPS being the outcome of this initiative. The resulting increased pass requirements including passing 8 of 9 subjects - although widely welcomed - had the potential to threaten the results as change so often causes instability and insecurity. The system will of course adapt to the changes in time and the class of 2014 results have been encouraging in this regard. Sadly 75.8% is a decrease from last year but many were concerned that quality was being sacrificed for quantity and hopefully the changes will bring the balance as they improve quality. The target set for 2014 a few years ago was 75% however the 2013 results reached 78.2%. Another factor which may have had some impact on the lower percentage was the departments Insistence that schools put learners thro to grade 12 who the schools had failed in grade 11. This was because so many schools were prohibiting learners who might fail from going on to grade 12 rather than providing additional support as is done successfully in Scandinavian countries. While many may have added to the fail rate significant numbers passed their Matric and many even passed with a bachelors. Failing so many in grade 11 was discouraging learners and leading to ever increasing drop out rates. Supplementary exams are in Feb/March 2015 and we encourage those qualifying to write to begin preparation from tomorrow. The ACDP also recognizes the importance of Parents, Teachers and Learners working together and we encourage parents to stand for election onto School Governing Bodies and to support those who do. Finally we agree whole heartedly with the Minister who appealed to all stakeholders to protect every day and hour of school. Closing early does not help improve results and those who are diligent in this regard are proof of its value.
Posted on: Mon, 05 Jan 2015 17:46:32 +0000
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