
=====================================================================
Speech by MEC Sizani at the Provincial Matric Awards Ceremony
=====================================================================

Speeches and Media Releases
 Education

[         w

 EASTERN CAPE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT
 SPEECH BY MEC STONE SIZANI
AT THE PROVINCIAL MATRIC AWARDS  CEREMONY AT
 THE BISHO INDUSTRIAL HALL
ON
4 MAY 2001

Honourable guests present here to day, parents, educators, colleagues, learners, ladies and gentlemen, I am honoured to be once again 
present in these Matric Awards, which are an annual event in our province. This years function is totally different from the ones we used 
to hold in the previous years, in that this year we are smiling, because at long last, as a Province and a Country we have turned the 
corner, and for that we have to congratulate those who have toiled, and made this improvement a reality, while on the other hand we want to 
motivate those who have not yet made the grade, and say to them tomorrow is yet another day.

THE NEW SCOPE FOR THE PROGRAMME

It is the aim of the Department that the programme does not concentrate on grade12 only, and that it covers the entire Senior Secondary 
Phase, starting from grade 10-12.It is out of this strategy that we can begin to think that our learners will obtain good results at the 
end of grade 12.For the first time after a long time, many stake holders have started to accept their responsibility and started placing 
the learner as a priority. This is shown by our last year’s results. However, we also need to acknowledge the fact that, inspite of the 
fact that as a Province, we have improved by 9,7% the reality is that we are still the only Province whose results are still less than 50%. 
We also have to note that, the Central Region in particular has fewer schools this year with 100% passes compared to last year. This Region 
is behind even the Northern Region in terms of quality results. This must tell us something.

Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to remind you that, the performance of grade12 results is the yardstick through which our department is 
judged. Therefore, improving the quality of teaching and learning requires strategies, which focus on change at the school and classroom 
levels. This is where teaching and learning takes place. We need to see more learning taking place and more learners in learning 
institutions during learning times and even beyond. The Department of Education and other stake holders need to turn the situation around 
at the classroom level, if we are hoping to create future worthwhile leaders, and there is no other time to do that than now.

THE WHOLE SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT

The National Minister of Education is convinced that, our schools are not doing enough in terms of developing the whole school. He believes 
that, we need to introduce strategies, which are aiming at the whole school development. Good schools do not only look neat from outside 
they go beyond that, in that even the parent community is playing an important role in assisting the programmes of the school. The S.G.B.S 
in these schools get a lot of support from their fellow citizens as well as from the educators and learners. When talking of the whole 
school development, we need to understand that the Matric results are the product of 12 years of schooling. The quick fix, peace meal and 
fragmented strategies of dealing with effectiveness improvement like winter schools and spring schools are strategies that are merely 
tinkering with the problem, and will not yield sustainable mechanisms of re-inventing our education system.

A holistic approach that at the minimum looks at the schooling system as a whole is the only logical route to follow. We are hoping that as 
a Province that is the route we will have to follow if we are serious about turning the situation around in our education system.

If we are to succeed in the whole school development, we need to come up with a sustainable strategy that will amongst others concentrate 
on the following;

* Strong leadership by the principal and the other management teams.
* High expectations by staff for student’s academic achievements.
* A clear set of goals and an emphasis on the schools vision and mission.
* An effective staff development programme.
* An orderly atmosphere conducive to learning
* An emphasis on basic skill acquisition and many more.

PARTNERSHIP WITH N.G.OS.

It is clear that, the department on its own cannot afford to fulfil all the expectations of the community. Hence we applaud all the efforts 
of the various N.G.Os who have forged links with us in an effort to turn the situation around.

It is indeed a responsibility of everybody to improve our education system, particularly N.G.Os and busness, because some have better 
facilities and infrastructure. It is for that reason that we embrace and welcome the partnerships we have forged with some N.G.O.s.We value 
more, the support of those whose assistance is concentrated on the rural and disadvantaged areas and communities. Many of those learners 
have never been exposed to adequate equipment and infrastructure. We also value the fact that, these N.G.Os are assisting mainly in the so 
called“killer subjects”. It is indeed evident that you don’t want to fold your arms and watch our system collapse. To us that is a sign of 
accountability and responsibility. We pray and hope that, this partnership will grow from strength to strength.

COMMITMENT OF INSTITUTIONS

We do not want to forget the institutions that are to be awarded here to day. We want to commend them for their dedication and commitment, 
which yielded these good results.

We hope that, these results are going to encourage them to do even more this year i.e.2001.Remember Madiba once said,” it is after one has 
climbed the first mountain that one realises that, there are many more mountains to climb.” To you, we are saying the greatest challenge 
lies ahead, and that will be to maintain your positions. But with the dedication and commitment you have shown so far, that cannot be too 
difficult. That also goes to the departmental officials who are awarded certificates here to day. We understand that they will be placed at 
the Districts in the near future, but we want to say the Department has seen what they are capable of.>

To the young communicators who are also receiving awards today, the sky is the limit. It is said that, when they talk and debate, even 
those with hearts of stones brake down and cry after listening to them. It is therefore fitting and appropriate to say to them, this is 
your moment too.

CONCLUSION

conclusion, ladies and gentlemen, let me share with you an extract from an article by Prof. Bengu published in” The Tribute’ (January1999)

“Education in South Africa truly reflects our country and its people. The bright promise, the guts to succeed against the odds, the will to 
liberate, the desire to heal, the passionate engagement in the knowledge of the revolution, the joyful exploration of our unique African 
identity, all these brilliant qualities are alive and well in South African Education. We have what it takes to make our education system 
the powerhouse of National reconstruction and development.

I thank you.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Home | About the Eastern Cape | Documents
 Economy | Structures | International Relations | Links
 Premier's Office | Speeches & Media Releases
 Top of Page

---------------------------------------------------------------------

About the Eastern Cape

Premier's Office

Structures

Documents

Speeches & Media Releases

International Relations

Economy

Links


