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 After another year of poor matric results and pass rate, the Minister of Basic Education, Mrs Angie Motshekga had the following to say about the Mathematics results in particular:
“A positive feature of the 2009 exams has been that more learners have registered for Mathematics (296 659) than for Mathematical Literacy (284 309). The results for Mathematics also show greater differentiation at the upper levels, despite an overall decline in the pass rate. The performances of learners in the gateway subjects of Maths, Physical Science and Accounting however remain cause for concern.”
Despite the poor National matric results and pass rate, the Maths Centre had some success stories in 2009.
 Free State |
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Twelve learners from Maluti-A-Phofung Sharp Minds! programme were among the top 100 learners in the Free State for 2009. Most of them obtaining 4 and 5 distinctions. All these learners did extremely well in both Mathematics and Science.
| Name |
School |
No. of Level 7 |
| Moleko Motsoeneng |
Mampoi |
5 level 7 |
| Teboho Matsikane |
Mampoi |
3 level 7 |
| Thabisile Khumalo |
Mampoi |
4 level 7 |
| Dibuseng Mokoena |
Mampoi |
4 level 7 |
| Lerato Kumako |
Kgola Thuto |
4 level 7 |
| Thabang Motaung |
Mohato |
4 level 7 |
| Morake Morake |
Molapo |
4 level 7 |
| Thabo Mpotje |
Molapo |
4 level 7 |
| Ayanda Hadebe |
The Beacon |
5 level 7 |
| Malehlohonolo Tsie |
The Beacon |
4 level 7 |
| Kabelo Hlubi |
Thalabodiba |
4 level 7 |
| Tautona Hlongwane |
Thalabodiba |
4 level 7 |
Learners in the project did extremely well with Moleko Saddam Motsoeneng being second best learner in the Free State Province. He obtained 97% in Mathematics and 92% in Physical Science.
Schools in general also did show a lot of improvement in the matric results due to Maths Centre interventions, support and guidance. Rantsane Secondary school improved their pass rate from 41% in 2008 to 80% in 2009 and Selelekela Secondary School has recorded an improvement of 103% in their 2009 performance.
The Free State centre was chosen as a host for the Prize-Giving Ceremony of the entire Transnet Project, alluding to the Donor’s confidence in the province to deliver. Achieving learners were awarded certificates and money by the Transnet Foundation. Again here, Molatedi Maduna from Mampoi High School was selected as the best young scientist with his project of “how to reduce global warming around the world”.
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| Limpopo |
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2009 Matric Results
Makgofe High School, situated in Makgofe village - just outside Seshego Township in Polokwane, Limpopo Province, boasts 100% passes in both Mathematics and Physical Sciences.
In the image alongside, learners used paper straws to make a model of a 3-D shape as it appears in one Matric Mathematics question paper.
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Greater Sekhukhune District - 31 Sharp Minds! learners obtained distinctions in Mathematics, Physical Sciences and English.
The shining results can undoubtedly be attributed to the fact that every Saturday 87 learners assembled at Sekhukhune EMPC and on weekdays, they were engaged in educational clinics at their respective schools, under the tutelage of Maths Centre trainers, supported by Transnet foundation.
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| Mpumalanga |
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| North West |
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Craigh Phiri (left) is the Sharp Minds! overall top achiever for Moretele with 5 Distinctions. He is from Kgaphamadi High School.
Amongst his other distinctions he achieved 85% for Mathematics. He is also the Best learner in Moretele APO. He was nominated to represent the APO and the District level. He is currently heading for the University of Cape Town to pursue a career in civil engineering. |
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| Back row from the right: Phiri Craigh followed by Cynthia Mkhabela at the Prize Giving Ceremony held at Tshiya College. They were among the top achievers selected from 4 Sharp Minds! centres. |
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| Top achievers in Mathematics- Amon Magoro (left) and Katlego Mashole (right) both from Matlaisane High Schools achieved 92% and 91% respectively. |
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The following learners passed Mathematics with distinction:
- Katlego Mashole - 91% (Matlaisane High School)
- John Mokori - 88% (Ithuteng High School)
- Cynthia Mkhabela - 85% (Kgaphamadi High School)
- Mukwevho John - 85% (Kgaphamadi High School)
Of the 6 Top Achievers Cynthia Mkhabela is the only Female who achieved a Distinction in Mathematics. She is also heading for the Cape Town University to study civil engineering.
Other achievements
Three of the project schools were rated among the top 4 in the APO. They were Matlaisane, Mmakaunyana and Nchaupe High School with 84,31%, 80,65% and 80,33% pass rates in the 2009 NCS exams respectively.
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| Western Cape |
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Turning schools into Numeracy Schools
The Western Cape Education Department numeracy intervention started in July 2009 and at the end of November 2010 some schools had a total facelift in and outside the classroom.
Here is Eldene Primary a foundation phase school in Elsiesriver on the Cape Flats:
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| What used to be an old dilapidated wall has been turned into a numeracy wall where learners can, during break, continue with their numeracy learning. In the photo above, you can see the principal and two learners after the completion of the numeracy paintings.
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| The grade 4 learners from Eldene Primary, learning how to deal with money. |
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