NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION 115
Dr W G James (DA) to ask the Minister of Basic Education:
(1) What are the reasons for the decline in the number of full-time
learners enrolled for matriculation examinations in 2010;
(2) whether any learners who would previously have been categorised
as full-time learners reclassified as part-time learners in
2010; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what
are the relevant details? NW127E
RESPONSE:
1) The Department of Basic Education is also concerned about the
decline in the number of full-time learners in 2010 and is in
the process of investigating this drop. This matter will be
reported on once the investigation is complete.
2) There were no learners who were initially classified as full-
time learners that were re-classified as part-time learners. The
DBE has audited the part-time learner data base to establish
whether this practice may have occurred and it was established
that only 693 candidates that registered as part-time candidates
offered the full subject package of seven subjects. This low
number of part time candidates offering seven subjects is
reasonable and therefore confirms that there has been no
manipulation of candidates from the full-time status to part-
time status. It needs to be noted that only candidates with a
seven subject package could have been initially registered as
full time candidates and then re-categorised as part-time
candidates.