Chairperson, yes, the Department of Education has launched the Rapid Assessment and Remediation Intervention, Rari, programme in January 2010. The Rari programme specifically targets those schools that have achieved below 20% in the 2009 national certificate examination. The provincial departments of education developed plans to assist these schools. The plans have been presented to the Department of Basic Education. The Department of Basic Education and the provincial departments of education will monitor and support these schools.
Provincial departments of education provide quarterly progress reports on the plan to the Department of Basic Education for monitoring and evaluation and to ensure that the plans are implemented effectively.
In addition, both the Minister and I have been visiting provinces, and we tend to ensure that we visit those schools that are dysfunctional or underperforming. We do so in collaboration with the provinces.
With regard to the second part of the question, the department has analysed existing data within the system as well as the pass rate of matric learners and developed a plan to improve the performance of 2010 matriculants. The data analysed suggests that the largest number of schools performed between 40% and 60%. The plan is therefore targeted at these schools.
Information derived from the survey conducted on underperforming schools indicated that the biggest challenges related to textbooks, teacher development and management issues. The plan was therefore structured around these challenges and focuses on the following four pillars: firstly, teaching and learning; secondly, ensuring functionalities in schools; thirdly, community mobilisation; and fourthly, district development and support. The department will develop guideline documents for teachers, learners, parents, NGOs and other community structures to assist with defining roles and responsibilities and helping the community to assist schools with challenges.
Finally, yes, the Minister and the director-general have made statements from time to time and will continue to do so at the appropriate time. Thank you, Chairperson.