Western Cape Rewards the Province's Top Adult Learners | Western Cape Government

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Western Cape Rewards the Province's Top Adult Learners

28 February 2012

Media Statement by Donald Grant, Minister of Education

Learning is a lifelong commitment, and we are proud of our adult learners who have made use of the opportunities that are on offer by the WCED through our Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET) centres and whose achievements we will rightly celebrate tonight at the 2011 provincial ABET Awards.

For many adult learners, the ABET learning centres have become an integral part of their communities. Here they can obtain their General Education and Training Certificate (GETC): ABET Qualification, which allows adult learners the opportunity to access further education and training, career development and employment opportunities. This enables them to contribute positively to the development of their community and the Western Cape economy.

Tonight, we will be celebrating and giving awards to our province's top ABET learners and centres for their achievements in the November 2011 ABET Level 4 examinations.

In the Western Cape, 103 Community Learning Centres (CLCs) registered candidates for the November 2011 ABET Level 4 examinations, including ten correctional services institutions and a school of skills.

I am pleased that the number of candidates who enrolled in these examinations increased from that of the previous year.

In 2011, a total of 3 343 candidates registered for one or more learning areas compared to the 2 376 candidates registered in November 2010. The district with the highest number of enrolments was in Metro East, where 550 candidates registered. The highest number of candidates registered was in the age group 16-24 years.

The most popular learning area was Mathematical Literacy with 2 667 candidates.

The ABET Level 4 examination commenced on 1 November 2011 and concluded on 21 November 2011. The marking process took place from 28 November 2011 to 2 December 2011.

The final results indicate that out of the 10 160 learning areas written, 6 762 achieved a pass mark. Therefore, 66.6% of the learning areas that were written were passed.

Those that passed these examinations have now obtained various skills that could lead to future employment and economic opportunities.

One must consider that many of these candidates have achieved these personal triumphs in very difficult conditions. With examinations such as these, which are in the area of adult basic education, adult learners are not subject to a compulsory and structured programme as we have in our public schools. Attendance is not compulsory or monitored and learners are required to do a significant amount of work by themselves because many of them have to prioritise other work or family commitments before their studies.

So I would like to congratulate each and every candidate who passed, especially those people who we will celebrate tonight.

Denise Wessels achieved 100% pass rate in both Life Orientation and Ancillary Healthcare, Marlene Pool achieved 100% in the learning area of Afrikaans and Nonzukiso Mpikwa for 100% pass rate in Travel and Tourism.

I would also like to congratulate and thank the individual ABET centres which have achieved great success. You have provided such encouragement, hope and opportunities to so many adult learners that pass through your doors each day.

The BEST Centre in Salt River, which registered more than 30 candidates in seven learning areas, had a pass rate of more than 80% in all seven learning areas. The Wellington CLC increased the number of candidates writing the examinations from 84 in 2009, 522 in 2010 to 512 in 2011 while maintaining a pass rate of above 60%.

We are also very proud of the achievements of some of our older candidates, the eldest being 79-year-old Mr Lindele Malgas, who achieved passes in both English and Life Orientation.

The oldest candidate to obtain a full GETC at one sitting in 2011 with a 100% pass rate in Afrikaans was Sophia Sykes, who is 56 years of age.

I sincerely hope that all these candidates will continue to take advantage of the opportunities presented to them by this government and that many doors will open to a brighter future as a result of their hard work and commitment.

By providing adult education and training opportunities, we are making the lives of our adult citizens better together.

Media Enquiries: 

Bronagh Casey
Spokesperson for Minister Grant

Cell: 072 724 1422
Tel: 021 467 2377
E-mail: Bronagh.Casey@pgwc.gov.za