7th January 2010

Inkatha Freedom Party has castigated the KwaZulu-Natal Grade 12 results as reflecting poor management by government and problems of the ANC's cadre-deployment policy. Reacting to today's release of the Provincial results, the Leader of the KwaZulu-Natal Official Opposition, Dr Bonginkosi Buthelezi said:      

"The ANC must be disabused of manipulating the people of KwaZulu-Natal into believing that the 3,3% rise in the 2009 Grade 12 pass rate is something to write home about. First, in terms of real figures, 51 443 learners have failed their Senior Certificate Examinations. That is a significant number of which we cannot be delighted. Secondly, the 3,3% is still far too low when compared with the performances of the IFP government which, in its last year in 2003, achieved about 74%. 

"In the IFP's view, the current state of results is a reflection that the whole education system is ailing. In particular they are a reflection on the failure of the OBE which the IFP has consistently opposed and which has also been rejected by well-known experts in education. In addition, the results reflect poor management of education caused by the cadre-deployment policy of the ANC; the neglect of previously disadvantaged schools, especially those in the townships and the rural areas; and, also the lack of commitment to teaching and learning by some educators and learners. 

"Against this background, we see no reason for the government to pat themselves at the back. Rather they should summon more political will to restore education in this country or face the consequences resulting from the unemployable and the unemployed."

For Further Information:
Dr Bonginkosi Buthelezi IFP MPL
Leader: KZN Official Opposition                            
082 516 0156