More than 9 400 pupils from schools around the Northern Cape have dropped out. The Provincial Education Department says these are pupils who either did not either attend school for the entire quarter or were homeschooled.
It says this is concerning even though it could be due to various factors.
Of the more than 200 000 pupils in the Northern Cape, 9 000 have not been attending school. This could be due to various factors.
Northern Cape Department of Education spokesperson Geoffrey van der Merwe says, “We are very concerned about the negative impact the COVID-19 pandemic is having on the future of our learners. Another contributing factor is the high levels of teenage pregnancies that exist between the ages of 10 and 19 years in the province. There was also an increase in pressures to complete the curriculum at schools and all these factors have contributed to the early dropout of learners at schools in the Northern Cape.”
The department maintains it is playing its role to try and keep the Grade 1 to 12 pupils in the schooling system.
“Department is doing all that we can to ensure that there’s no reason why learners shouldn’t attend school. We provide them with learner transport. We, as a national school nutrition program in schools, provide sanitary towels and even COVID-19 essentials.”
Concerning dropout rate at Northern Cape schools:
Multi-sectoral engagement needed
Unicef SA Deputy Representative Muriel Mafico says getting to the root of the problem requires a multi-sectoral engagement.
“So it really requires a multi-sectoral engagement. The communities have to be involved in this, families have to be involved in this. Addressing issues like mental health and psychosocial support for both teachers and learners is actually critical for addressing dropout and for addressing quality education and make ensure that the school environment is friendly and caring.”
Those who have left the schooling system have another opportunity at education in the 2022 school academic year. Something that the department hopes parents will take advantage of.
