0% matric pass rate for nine KZN schools

The KZN MEC for Education, Mthandeni Dlungwane, made the announcement at an awards ceremony honouring the province's top matriculants, in Durban today. 

Dlungwane says although the number of KZN schools that obtained a 0% pass had decreased by five in 2016 - the lack of progress at these schools remains inexcusable.

“It is with a deep sense of embarrassment, disappointment and disbelief that in 2016 the province had nine schools that obtained a 0% pass rate," he said.

The nine schools - which are based in the aMajuba, iLembe, uMgungundlovu, King Cestshwayo, and Zululand districts respectively - each registered less than 30 candidates who sat for the 2016 NSC exams.

Dlungwane said the 2014/15 academic results had left the province "shocked, ashamed and embarrassed, but still willing to reflect and turn the situation around".

One of the objectives of the KZN education department's 2016 improvement plan was to eliminate the number of schools that obtained a 0% pass rate. 

Kwabhamu Secondary in the Zululand district was one of the five schools that fared better this year - compared to their 0% pass rate in 2015. However, the school still performed poorly - attaining an overall pass of 6.45% in 2016, with only two out of 33 pupils passing their exams. 

Dlungwane says harsher measures will be applied to schools who failed to "shape up" - adding that the department would not tolerate failure - at any cost.

"We are going to punish non-compliance, because the nation expects us to deliver," he said.

The MEC says a number of measures would be implemented in the coming months - in a bid to improve the province's overall matric pass rate, as well as the quality of education in KZN. 

This includes a proposed change to the current curriculum.

Another concern for the department was the 215 schools that obtained a less than 30% pass rate.

Dlungwane blamed his predecessor for the current education crisis in the province - citing “leadership's failure to act decisively" as a primary reason for the poor performance at various schools.

"Previously, there was a lack of leadership. The leadership failed to take decisive decisions and lacked accountability. A few indicators that further resulted [in poor results] include non-completion of [the] curriculum, lack of quality common assessments throughout the system, curriculum changes, and lack of resources," he said.

Meanwhile, teachers union Naptosa has commended the Quintal 1, 2 and 3 schools in the province - for their achievements in the 2016 NSC exams. 

KZN chairperson Marion Bruce says this is a sign that government interventions at these schools are working.

"It's excellent to see that finally, the pendulum has turned around - meaning that rural education has improved," she said.