Nationally, South Africa achieved a 75.1% matric pass rate in 2017, with Free State topping the provinces 89.8%.
The South African Student Congress (Cosas) has criticised those learners who failed their matric, saying there is no reason to justify it.
The pupils movement said they aim for a 100% pass rate and doesn’t understand how come South African pupils are still struggling to achieve it.
“We are actually disappointed,” Bethuel Zunguza told the 013NEWS over the phone.
“Yes as NEC we are disappointed, I must clarify that,” the national treasurer said on Wednesday this week.
“Our wish as national structure is that all provinces must get 100%, so you can’t expect us to be happy with these results,” Zunguza said.
“At high schools the education is free and the students also are provided with food, transport, books, chairs, some in rural areas have boarding schools, so there’s no reason for them to fail. Why [do] they fail because everything is there?” Zunguza asked.
RELATED: Mpumalanga matric pass rate drops by 2.3%
“You see what I mean,” he said.
“They are playing and we are saying in 2018 Omunye Phez’ Kwencwadi, not this thing of Omunye Phez’ Komunye’, no, no. That’s why they fail,” he said.
“In 2018 we are saying Omunye Phez’ Kwencwadi. We want all our students to study and pass and go to universities to study for free,” he said.
“If you can check in other countries the other students don’t have everything in their disposal but they are doing very well. We have identified a problem in this country that our students don’t take education seriously.
“So it’s high time that we sing the song. We expect each and every school to have everyone passing. What’s the reason for not focusing on your books?” Zunguza said.
ALSO RELATED: Two Mpumalanga pupils commit suicide over matric results
The new Cosas leadership was elected in August 2017 during a Durban national congress and elected John Macheke to succeed Zama Khanyase as the President, deputized by Noluthando Sonjalo and Siyabonga Mbokazi as secretary, deputised by Mzwakhe Gwegwe.
“Our task is very simple this year and that is to encourage them to take education very serious,” Zunguza said.
“Our task is go to each and every school and make sure our pupils are studying and nothing disturbs them and they pass at the end of the year. That is our task.
“And the issues of drugs we are very concerned as students. I think that one also is the challenge we are currently faced with and must deal,” he said.
SEE ALSO: COSAS blames foreigners for worsening township drug abuse
(edited by MLM)
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