Grahamstown schools beat province's odds

Learners go out on the rubber duck that is used to conduct research during the SAEON Elwandle Node’s five-day science camp (Picture: Joe Sibiya) Learners identify animal and plant species inhabiting the rocky shores (Pictures: Joe Sibiya)

Eastern Cape was declared the worst performing province in South Africa in the announcement of the 2011 matric results.

The Eastern Cape achieved a pass rate of 58.1%, down from 58.3% in 2010. The good news is that most schools in Grahamstown reflected an improvement on the 2010 results.

Learners who had participated in the education programmes of the SAEON Elwandle Node and its host organisation, the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB) performed well throughout. All of them complied with the minimum statutory matriculation requirements for admission to Bachelors degree study.

Two SAEON Kids scored distinctions in mathematics, and most of them received a distinction in life orientation. In life sciences their marks were mostly above 70%.

Eight SAEON Kids who applied for admission at Rhodes University were accepted and awarded financial assistance. One of them registered for a BCom, while the others all registered for sciences -- thanks to Rhodes University Vice-Chancellor Dr Saleem Badat who once said Grahamstown learners should never be hindered by financial difficulties.