Limpopo sets its sights higher

BEST TOP FIVE: PREMIER URGES SCHOOLS TO RECRUIT QUALITY, SKILLED TEACHERS

- Alex Japho Matlala & Masoka Dube

Schools and School Governing Bodies need an aggressive plan to recruit quality and skilled teachers to be counted among the best top five schools in the country, Limpopo premier, Dr Phophi Ramathuba said yesterday.

Ramathuba was speaking during the official announcement of the Limpopo matric results for the class of 2024 at the Ranch Hotel, outside Polokwane.

The province performed extremely well after decades of dismal performance.

It has improved from below 40% matric pass rate in the last decade to 79.54% in the 2023 academic year and 85.01% last year.

"Our target this year is to be counted among the top five performing provinces in the country. We want 90% plus this year.

"If we work hand in glove together, we will achieve that goal without any hurdles. But if we continue with our hostile approach, we only consider the so-called son of the soil as the only teachers in our schools, we are doomed.

"We will never achieve our target," said the premier to thunderous applause from elated teachers, pupils, mayors, church bishops and investors.