Motshekga made the statement on Thursday 26 September at the SADTU National Congress at Nasrec, in Gauteng.

According to Social Media users in South Africa, their insinuations are that Motshekga said they could leave school at grade 9 with a certificate in their hands as accomplishment.

The Department of Basic Education has noted with concern the misleading reports and social media posts about the claims and maintains that this is further from the truth.

In her speech, Motshekga said “the Field Trial for the General Education Certificate (GEC) at the end of Grade 9 is scheduled for completion at the end of July 2020. A draft framework for the GEC has been developed. Assessment and examination modalities for the GEC are being investigated and have been presented at the HEDCOM meeting. The Technical Occupational subjects have been packaged and submitted to Umalusi for approval.”

The Department of Basic Education further says the GEC schools acknowledge a broad foundation of knowledge and skills at the end of Grade 9 as a basis for further learning and study, which could happen in a range of further education institutions. Offering a GEC is not an indication of the exit of learners from a learning pathway in schools but provides better decision-making for and access to further learning after Grade 9.

OFM News/Marvin Ntsane