09 Feb 2025

The Minister of Child Welfare and Basic Education, Dr Nono Kgafela-Mokoka announced during a press briefing recently that 11 526 candidates who sat for the 2024 Junior Certificate Examination (JCE) will not be eligible for admission to Senior Secondary Schools due to unsatisfactory performance.

Addressing the media, Dr Kgafela-Mokoka emphasised the ministry's commitment to improving educational outcomes, revealing that they were currently negotiating with a partner to enhance out-of-school programmes  for pupils to supplement  the subjects they failed.

This initiative, she said sought  to upgrade overall student performance while aligning with government goals concerning vocational training and creative economy principles.

Dr Kgafela-Mokoka highlighted that discussions were underway with the Ministry of Higher Education to ensure that brigades integrated students who needed additional support rather than serving as ‘dumping sites’ for underperforming individuals.

Students who did not succeed in their examinations would be required to supplement their education while undertaking vocational training, thus combining skill acquisition with rehabilitation of their academic performance.

In her address, the minister called for brigades to be transformed into spaces for comprehensive training, where learners could develop skills and receive academic enhancement simultaneously.

Furthermore, she reiterated the importance of improving ICT and internet connectivity, even for younger grades, to instill early familiarity with technology.

An urgent reform of the education system is needed, Dr Kgafela-Mokoka asserted, advocating the introduction of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) subjects from elementary levels to foster critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and innovation in children from a young age.

The minister also emphasised the necessity of increasing school infrastructure and maintaining existing facilities through Public Private Partnerships (PPP) to ensure rapid establishment of new schools.

Such initiatives are expected to reduce student-teacher ratios, thereby improving the overall teaching and learning experience.

Dr Kgafela-Mokoka underscored the importance of collaborative efforts in education, stating, “The Ministry of Child Welfare and Basic Education cannot shoulder the burden of educating the masses alone; it is vital to involve other stakeholders in nurturing our children from an early age.”

She further expressed concerns about the prevalence of violence among school-aged children, stating, “Even at Primary School levels, we are witnessing serious crimes. Evidence shows children are encountering significant violence early in life. We need support to rebuild this nation.”

The ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Kekgonne Baipoledi, urged society to reflect on its role in children’s educational outcomes.

“The presentation of results should prompt introspection regarding our collective responsibility in the development of our children,” he said.

Dr Baipoledi described the results presentation as a forward-thinking approach to gauge ‘our contributions toward educational success. ENDS