19 January 2024
Johannesburg, Braamfontein
The Young Communist League of South Africa extends warm congratulations to the resilient and determined matric class of 2023 who have triumphed over adversities to reach this significant life milestone. We applaud your hard work, dedication, and resilience in navigating the challenges posed by an education system grappling with multifaceted issues.
As YCLSA we appreciate the strategic interventions by the government such as the National Schools Nutrition Program that is implemented in every school day to about 9.6 million children which is about 84% of all learners. Our learner receives support material in the form of textbooks, stationery, and workbooks whilst we acknowledge this there are however new challenges that present themselves that require urgent attention such as issues of mental health- this has become a silent killer amongst the youth of this country hence the high rise in cases of suicide among the youth of the country.
Other societal issues are drug and alcohol abuse, and the rampant surge of gangsterism in our schools all these enumerated issues have the potential to reverse the gains achieved by the democratic government.
The academic journey traversed has not been without obstacles, including disruptions mainly caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, financial constraints, and socioeconomic disparities. Your ability to overcome these challenges is a testament to your strength and determination. As we celebrate academic successes, it is imperative to acknowledge the formidable hurdles that persist within our education sector. The YCLSA remains deeply concerned about the systemic challenges that impact the quality of education and the overall well-being of our students. The inadequacies in infrastructure causing overcrowding, the digital divide, and the shortage of qualified educators are among the pressing issues that demand urgent attention. Acknowledging the recent challenges posed by load-shedding, we call upon the Department of Education to formulate a comprehensive contingency plan. Power outages should not impede the pursuit of teaching and learning, and students and educators must have the necessary resources to navigate such disruptions seamlessly.
Since the 1994 political breakthrough, commendable strides have been made to enhance the quality of education. Despite initial challenges, South Africa has emerged as one of the fastest
improvers in international learning assessments. This achievement, coupled with expanded schooling access, reflects a significant step forward. While we celebrate progress, we must critically examine the content of our curriculum. It should be responsive to the unique challenges faced by our country. Education must empower students not only with academic knowledge but also with the tools to address the pressing issues of our society, especially instilling a sense of social responsibility and national duty.
We urge institutions of higher learning to be welcoming and accommodating to the influx of new students. The doors of education must be wide open, aligning with the spirit of our Freedom Charter, which boldly declares “The doors of learning and culture shall be opened” It is essential that our institutions actively work towards creating an inclusive, equitable, and enabling environment that nurtures diverse talents and perspectives that acknowledges our varied diversities as nation.
We call upon the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) to ensure that its assistance reaches every deserving student, especially those hailing from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
We take this moment to congratulate the Free State province for securing the number 1 position consecutively for 5 years for the best-performing province with 89,03 % followed by Kwa-Zulu Natal. The 2023 NSC overall pass rate has reached the 82.9% mark (compared with 80.1% in 2022, and 76.4% in 2021) – an improvement of 2.8%, and 6.5% from the pass rates achieved by the Classes of 2022 and 2021 respectively. This is worth celebrating for it shows that there is progress made.
The YCLSA stands in solidarity with the matriculants of 2023. To those who did not pass the NSC standard, it’s not the end of the world the government has a second chance program we advise you to apply so that you can pursue the studies to their conclusion, there are support programs to ensure that you succeed.
Your success is a triumph for our collective future. As you embark on your academic journey, remember that education is not just a personal pursuit but a powerful tool for societal transformation.
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Issued by YCLSA
National Secretary– Mzwandile Thakhudi Email: mzwandilethakhudi@gmail.com
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