Call to Commit Ourselves to a Better Education for All

Despite improvements in the matric pass rates, the deficiencies in South Africa's educational system still “sentence many a pupil to a life of utter poverty, hopelessness and inequity,” says Archbishop Thabo Makgoba of Cape Town.

In a statement on the matric results issues today, Archbishop Makgoba said:

As an anxious parent who has waited with the rest of the country this year for matric results, I want to congratulate those who have worked hard and earned impressive results. Thanks to the teachers and parents who supported them.

The Department of Basic Education needs a pat on the shoulder for better results all-round. But it has to be said that despite the improvement in passes at the bachelor's level, a 30 percent pass rate is still woefully inadequate.

Yet again, the relationship between poor school infrastructure and results is evident in the Eastern Cape. We urge educators to summon up the determination to turn this around, and we in the church commit ourselves to shoulder responsibility for pushing for change.

For those who did not make it, it is not the end of the world. We urge you to rewrite exams, or re-register for this year. Sadly, the deficiencies in our educational system still sentence many a pupil to a life of utter poverty, hopelessness and inequity.

In our 20th year of democracy, and a month after Madiba died, I call for us all to commit ourselves to a better education for all with a bias in towards redress in rural and township areas.

+Thabo Cape Town