
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) today kicks off its two-day Early Grade Reading Research Indaba aimed at tackling the challenges schools face that hinder the reading skills of South African learners.
The Indaba will see speakers & panelists leading developmental, research, and government bodies contribute insight and discuss the challenges to ensure better reading outcomes among learners.
Media relations officer at the DBE Terence Khala says this is a matter that needs urgent attention.
Khala says the department has, to address this problem, introduced the Early Grade Reading Study in 2012.
He says the idea is to implement the necessary strategies across the country.
Follow the proceedings here.
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The DBE's Ms Nompumelelo Mohohlwane, @Mpumi_NLM, on the purpose of today's #EGRSIndaba pic.twitter.com/lF9sM2p4kc
— Dep. Basic Education (@DBE_SA) June 8, 2022

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has launched its Prevention and Management of Learner Pregnancy in Schools initiative.
The initiative aims to ensure that young mothers have access to much-needed support services.
It is also focused on addressing the high incidence of learner pregnancy and the drop-out that usually follows.
The policy also requires schools to report to the police when a pregnant learner is under the age of 16.
UNESCO National Programme Officer, at the DBE, Buyiswa Mpini.
View the online launch of the initiative here.
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The @DBE_SA policy is being launched today. We hope that it will help in reducing the incidence of learner pregnancy affecting children of school going age. Our school communities need to work together to ensure the implementation of the policy. pic.twitter.com/L1Me8pFlcj
— Hubert Mathanzima Mweli (@HubertMweli) February 17, 2022
Schools will be required to report to the police where the pregnant learner is under the age of 16. The @SAPoliceService will be informed to investigate and arrest perpetrators in cases of statutory rape. @ReginahMhaule @HealthZA @DBE_SA pic.twitter.com/FwurYWXR4o
— Elijah Mhlanga (@ElijahMhlanga) February 17, 2022

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshega says her Department has started taking steps towards the introduction of the General Education Certificate.
The certificate would allow learners, after 10 years of schooling, when completing Grade 9, to access the job market.
She says planning for the introduction of the GEC is at an advantaged state.
Access Motshekga’s full speech here.
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- 76.4% Matric pass rate testament that the country’s education system is improving.
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Minister Motshekga: Those candidates who did not do well in the NSC exams, do not despair. Those who wish to improve their results should enrol for the Second Chance Matric Programme. Registration into the Programme will close on 15 February 2022.
— Dep. Basic Education (@DBE_SA) January 20, 2022

Provincial Education MEC Debbie Schäfer says the number of Western Cape schools, which have obtained a Matric pass rate of less than 60%, have dramatically decreased.
The number of the province’s schools, who failed to obtain this minimum pass mark, have decreased from 52 to 40, in the 2021 National Senior Certificate examinations.
Schäfer says this decrease in the number of under-performing schools shows that all the hard work and commitment is paying off.
Read Schäfer’s full statement here.
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- Western Cape achieved a 81.2% pass rate in the 2021 Grade 12 examinations.
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VERY well done to the W Cape class of 2021 – improvement of 1.3%, over the 80% again, third position in the country with the highest % of bachelor passes, 2 districts in top 10 and improvement in retention from Grade 10-12 to 70%! All during a global pandemic! SUPER proud of you
— Debbie Schafer (@DebbieSchafer) January 20, 2022

The Western Cape Education MEC Debbie Schäfer has encouraged matriculants, who failed their exams or have not obtained their desired results, to make use of the support services available to them.
Schäfer advises Grade 12s to apply for the next session of supplementary examinations to rewrite their exams or improve their results.
She also urges candidates to make use of the Second Chance programme, offered by the Department of Basic Education, to again enroll for examinations.
Read her full statement here.
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- 76.4% Matric pass rate testament that the country’s education system is improving.
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— WCEDNews (@WCEDnews) January 24, 2022
VERY well done to the W Cape class of 2021 – improvement of 1.3%, over the 80% again, third position in the country with the highest % of bachelor passes, 2 districts in top 10 and improvement in retention from Grade 10-12 to 70%! All during a global pandemic! SUPER proud of you
— Debbie Schafer (@DebbieSchafer) January 20, 2022