Basic Education admits it does not have any plans in place to track learner dropouts
27 January 2022
Note to Editors: Please find an attached soundbite by Baxolile ‘Bax’ Nodada MP
The DA will write to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, to request a debate in Parliament on the high learner dropout rates across South African schools.
During a meeting of the portfolio committee for basic education, the Department of Basic Education (DBE) revealed that there is no mechanisms in place to track, trace or keep learners in school in order to encourage them to return to school. Given the high number of dropouts, the DBE needs to start implementing strategies and solutions to improve learner retention in South Africa's public schools as a matter of urgency.
Since 2010, 5 904 999 learners have fallen out the system. This number is calculated by subtracting the number of matrics who wrote their final exams from the same cohort who enrolled in Grade 10, every year since 2010.