Celebrating Our Matrics

The Premier Ebrahim Rasool, the MEC's for Education Cameron Dugmore, and Community Safety Leonard Ramatlakane, together with rugby hero Breyton Paulse, will attend a celebration function at the Rocklands Civic Centre, Mitchell's Plain on Wednesday 29 December 2004, from 16h00 to 20h00. This will include a music concert by local artists, as well as performances by Paulse and John Pretorius.

The Premier will host a provincial function in the morning on the same day (09h00 to 11h00) at his residence to announce the results.

At the function in the afternoon, the top students in mathematics, science and accountancy will receive special awards. The top overall student from Mitchell's Plain and Khayelitsha will also receive special awards.

The Western Cape Education Department has decided to support this request from the Mitchell's Plain Youth Development Forum, given their location in the urban renewal node, along with Kayelitsha.

It is hoped that this event will provide hope and inspiration to our learners, encouraging them to study further and acquire skills, which will assist them in finding work, said MEC Dugmore.

In a letter to all the Mayors in the Western Cape, he has also requested the local municipalities to host similar events for their local top learners in the new year.

He has asked Mayors and municipalities to consider the allocation of a bursary or cash prize for the best overall matriculant in their municipality, as well as to the best maths, science and accountancy higher grade learners from historically disadvantaged schools.

Said MEC Dugmore: "I believe it is important for us to celebrate and honour our matrics and also provide incentives to them.

"Given the need for us to dramatically increase the number of maths, science and accountancy higher grade passes, we are attempting to provide incentives to these learners with the objective of increasing interest and performance in these subjects."

For enquiries, contact Gert Witbooi: 082 550 3938, or gwitbooi@pgwc.gov.za.

Gert Witbooi
Media Secretary
Office of the MEC for Education
Western Cape
Tel: 021 467 2523
Fax: 021 425 5689
Visit our website: http://wced.wcape.gov.za

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