Nelson Mandela, one of the world’s most profound leaders, reminded us of the transformative power of education, particularly through reading. He believed that reading empowers citizens, sparks change and lays the foundation for societies built on knowledge and justice.
When thinking about science, technology and innovation, most people’s minds go straight to robots, spaceships, self-driving cars and talking machines. Centuries ago, such incredible inventions may have seemed farfetched, but in today’s fast moving technological world, there are no limits to what we can achieve in the field.
The new year is often marked with great excitement and anticipation, along with the promise of a better tomorrow. For the Class of 2024 who recently received their matric results a new world of exciting possibilities awaits.
Candidates who wrote the National Senior Certificate examinations achieved an 87.3 percent pass rate, setting a new record for the highest pass rate achieved in our country. This huge milestone is the outcome of the joint effort by teachers, learners, parents and many others in our education system.
Our global development, marked by periods of revolution and innovation, would not be possible without the solid foundation of good quality literacy.
The Class of 2023 will leave their schools as history makers, having achieved the highest pass rate since the dawn of our democracy. Whilst this is a grand celebration for the 82.9 percent of matriculants, those who may have missed the mark may feel discouraged.
There is however no need for despair as hope comes through government’s Second Chance Matric Programme. The programme offers matric learners who have not met the requirements for the National Senior Certificate (NSC) a second chance to achieve the results they desire.
All parents want the best for their children. We want them to go to well-functioning schools and get the best results so that they can be admitted to tertiary institutions. These schools not only prioritise academic achievements but also focus on the holistic development of children that includes sports, arts and cultural activities.
The beginning of a new school year is always marked with anticipation and excitement. For many this will signify the beginning of their school journey, while for others it represents the culmination of years of hard work.
This year both inland and coastal schools open at the same time on 17 January 2024, and as government we are determined that learning begins from day one.
The release of the Census 2022 results recently show that South Africa is indeed making valuable progress in redressing our past on the education front and charting a better path for our children. While many challenges remain, no one can deny that we are on the path to reversing Apartheid’s evils.
Most of us have stories about a teacher or teachers who have had a great influence in our lives. These teachers not only taught us in class but were instrumental in instilling good values and became our mentors and counsellors. Throughout our history, teachers have taken the lead in inspiring generations of students to be the best they can be and have contributed to building an informed society.
