The 6th of February 2024 marked the first step to the journey of a thousand miles towards success in the Bohlabela District. This after a fruitful meeting held by the Mpumalanga Education MEC, Bonakele Majuba and Basic Education Deputy Minister, Dr Reginah Mhaule with the principals from the district.
Majuba stated that the purpose of the meeting was to address the challenging results of the Grade 12 National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams in the Bohlabela District following its 10% decline in the 2023 matric exams pass rate to 69,1%
“My view is that we need to concede that what happened is already a thing of the past, however we need to draw lessons from what happened and put remedial actions to ensure that next year this time, we speak a story of true success. This means that we must see the 2023 decline as providing opportunities for growth and collective action,” Majuba said according to a media statement. This was said to encourage the principals and give them the tenacity they need to face the task that lies ahead.
According to the statement, there are various challenges that the district encountered which contributed to the decline in the 2023 matric pass rate. The Covid-19 pandemic disruptions, resource constraints, school infrastructure improvement, school break-ins and the harassment of both teachers and learners were few of the various encountered tribulations that were highlighted during the meeting.
Amidst the challenges that were mentioned, Majuba emphasized the imperativeness of the bigger ones that lies with the educators present which are: “To deliver quality education, especially for the children of the working class and the poor, whose only hope for survival depends on what each and every one of us here do on a daily basis.”
“The decline must be seen as translating to missed opportunities, dampened aspirations and a wider negative impact on the Mpumalanga provinces’ future and success trajectory,” he said.
Majuba highlighted the following action plans the district will need to focus on to improve its 2024 matric results:
- Regular monitoring and assessments to ensure progress and course correction when needed.
- Foster a culture that embraces continuous learning, experimentation, and innovation.
- Encourage teachers to explore new teaching methods, integrate technology effectively, and personalize learning experiences to cater to diverse needs.
“Go out there and be the change you want to see,” he concluded.