Hon Speaker, the ANC welcomes the 2,4% improvement in the matric pass rate for 2011. Such a significant improvement in the pass rate represents an important step in the right direction.
The increase in the matric pass rate in the last few years from 60,6% in 2009 to 67,8% in 2010, and now 70,2% in 2011, is important as it demonstrates that our government's approach to education is bearing the desired fruit.
This bears testimony to the fact that the President's meeting with about 1 500 school principals soon after he took office in 2009 to understand the challenges they face in their work was not in vain. We congratulate the Department of Basic Education, its Ministry, the administrators, school governing bodies, teachers, parents and the class of 2011 for a focused, rewarding effort.
In the same breath, we congratulate Mbilwi Secondary School in the Vhembe District for being the top school in Limpopo province. We also congratulate the principal of Thengwe High School for recently receiving the Kadar Asmal Award. I thank you. [Applause.]