THE NEW AGE MISQUOTES DEPARTMENT SPOKESPERSON, ELIJAH MHLANGA

As the Spokesperson for the Department of Basic Education and a former journalist by profession I am shocked and disappointed when I take the time to explain the stance of the department on a specific topic and the journalist takes what you say and distorts it in such a manner that it is no longer factually correct. It makes you wonder why you bother wasting your time when they are just going to write what they want anyway. The manner in which The New Age (front page) reported on the matter of the dropout rate in schools is completely unacceptable, I was grossly misquoted and as a result, this has painted a bleak and distorted picture about the school dropout rate. 

In response to a question posed on the contributing factors towards the dropout rate, The New Age Reporter, Batandwa Malingo erroneously quoted me as saying: "Some have to work to support families in child- headed homes while others are still in the system but will not reach matric this year simply because they are not as gifted or as fortunate as other school goers." 

This statement is completely false. Not only was I misquoted, but this falsified statement suggests that fortune or even favour determines whether or not a learner will reach matric. Mr Malingo also failed to include my supporting remarks to my original statement. 

What I actually said is as follows:

"While others are still in the system but have not reached matric simply because they are not gifted the same as much as they start school at the same time."

In bringing this statement into context, this is the commentary in its entirety: 

"There are various reasons for learners not completing education at the same time. Nowhere in the world do you have the exact number starting and finishing school at the same time. People come from different background, face different challenges, encounter different circumstances all of which impact on their lives in different ways. 

1. Some passed away.

2. Others arrested for various offences

3. Some left the country

4. Others have to work to support families in child-headed families

5. Some branched out to FET colleges

6. While others are still in the system but have not reached matric simply because they are not gifted the same as much as they start school at the same time.

7. There are those who drop out because they lose interest in education for various reasons

For those in schools we create special support measures to ensure they finish their education. Those not in school I trust the Department of Social Development to assist them. Through our learner attainment strategy, we are able to assist learners with their academic needs. We have a pro-poor package which includes learner transport and school nutrition programme aimed at helping poor learners. We also use camps to identify and support learners that need additional help in their school work."

While I do not expect Mr Malingo to quote the whole statement, I do expect him to quote me correctly and in context and not to misconstrue my statement to suit his agenda. It is quite disappointing to note that even after I sent my response to his question (written) via email, I was still misquoted. The basic tenets of journalism dictate that Mr Malingo cannot interfere with my comments. In this case, words were put into my mouth and resulted in a message not intended by me, but by the reporter himself. If he needed further commentary or clarity, he could have liaised accordingly.

As a Department, we cannot and will not accept this kind of reporting and coverage that ultimately seeks to distort the truth and mislead the public. We urge The New Age to conduct its due diligence in ensuring that data, and in this case- statements, are captured accurately to avoid this unfortunate occurrence. 

Issued by Elijah Mhlanga, Spokesman, Department of Basic Education, 15 September 2015