Education MEC in the North West, Louisa Mabe, has committed school principals and managers to accounting for learning and teaching to steer the province, which achieved a 79.5% pass rate for 2012, towards achieving a 100% pass rate in 2013.

The province showed a 1.7% improvement from the 77.8% achieved in 2011.

“There is no excuse and we will work hard. As part of the school improvement plans, targets will be reviewed and adjusted by the schools during this month.

“The target-setting process started at provincial level, determining provincial targets. The districts followed and in the end the schools will set their own targets,” said the MEC when announcing the 2012 matric results at Vryburg High School yesterday.

The province came third in the country in 2011 after Western Cape and Gauteng and fourth this year after Gauteng, Western Cape and Free State.

“Unfortunately, we could not maintain third position or achieve above 80% as a result of poor performance in the Greater Delareyville and Greater Taung areas offices. This pass percentage does not come as a surprise and it is clear the province has improved steadily from 2006, with only a 0.5% drop in 2012.

“During my engagement with school principals I said that I support a 100% pass which should be qualitative in nature. We are convinced the intervention strategies put in place for the past couple of years are bearing fruit.

“Priority should be given to township and rural schools. If there is no foundation at primary school level, then teacher.

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