Matric 2018: Motshekga fails in her obligation to improve chronically underperforming schools
9 January 2018
Of the 26 schools listed by the Department of Basic Education (DBE) as having achieved a matric pass rate of below 40% for the past 5 years, 13 were on the same list last year and a few for a number of years before that.
Section 58B of the South African Schools Act states that the Minister must ensure that provincial MECs for Education account for their actions to improve performance at these schools. They are required to report to the Minister within three months as to how they will improve the performance of chronically underperforming schools.
The Minister bears ultimate responsibility for ensuring our children receive quality basic education. The failure to ensure that effective plans are implemented to improve pass rates, therefore, falls squarely at her feet.
The DA will, therefore, write to the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education, Ms Nomalungelo Gina, today to request an urgent briefing from Minister Angie Motshekga on these long-term underperforming schools.