EE PRESS STATEMENT 25/01/11: EQUAL EDUCATION (EE) STUDENTS EXCEL RE-WRITING MATRIC

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Encouraging Results by EE Gap Year Students

During 2010 a group of eleven (11) Equal Education youth leaders in Khayelitsha participated in the EE Gap Year, a post-matric year. All the participants had been in grade 12 and wrote matric in 2009, achieving poorly. All wanted to improve their results. They spent 50% of their time being trained and working as activists, and 50% in intensive tutoring sessions aimed at improving their matric results. In November 2010 they got their second chance and the results are encouraging.

In 2009 only 3 of the 11 had passed, but the 2010 rewrite saw 10 of the 11 passing. This is a 91% pass-rate, compared to the 52% average for Khayelitsha.

In 2009, at their respective high schools, they achieved, on average, 24% for Physical Science. This improved to 45% in 2010. Nokubonga Ralayo improved her physical science mark from 35% to 61%.

In 2009, at their respective high schools, they achieved, on average, 26% for Life Sciences. This improved to 51% in 2010. In 2009, at their respective high schools, they achieved, on average, 26% for Life Sciences. This improved to 51% in 2010.

None of the students had done drama, but three did it for the first time in 2010, averaging 72%.  None of the students had done drama, but three did it for the first time in 2010, averaging 72%.

A number of these students are now enrolled for tertiary study.

It is important to note that all of these students have had to carry the burden of their 2009 School Based Assessment (SBA) marks which make up 25% of their final 2010 results. Due to examinations rules, their improvements have been somewhat offset by their poor SBA marks obtained in their high schools in Khayelitsha, one of the worst performing areas in South Africa. EE intends to lobby for a change in this rule.

During 2011 EE will also challenge the absurd rule that permits those who previously passed to matric to rewrite only two subjects, whereas those who previously failed matric can rewrite all subjects. The perverse incentive to fail shows the need to change this rule.

A significant number of these students have applied for remarks, and we are confident that the results could still improve further.

A new group of 14 EE youth leaders have enrolled in the program for 2011 and we expect even better results. The press is invited to come and meet them.

Further comment:

  • Kelly Rosenthal (Gap Year Coordinator) 0832323489
  • Nokubonga Ralayo (Gap Year participant 2010, and EE leader) 0737559812
  • Joey Hasson (Head of Youth Dept) 0823746555