A strong message to move from quantity to quality in education was given by the MEC for Education, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi.

Schools were encouraged to move away from standard grade. Engineers, technicians artisans, accountants, economists, doctors and many more are needed. "All these courses demand high quality because there is nothing standard about them," Motsoaledi said.

In the past, "the tendency has been to target a very high percentage pass rate with very little regard to quality". Schools encouraged or sometimes coerced their learners to take their subjects at standard grade. Schools did that because of the pressure to obtain 100% pass rate.

"We as Department also encouraged it by offering prizes… for schools which get 100% pass regardless of the number of University entrances (exemptions) obtained." This has resulted in serious problems for the learners. Universities simply did not accept them. In the sciences, universities accept a D at Higher Grade readily and ignore an A at standard grade, "regardless of the fact that this A has brought public glory to the learner," the MEC said on December 28, at the official announcement of the 2006 Grade 12 examination results.

The quality matter is a serious one. Motsoaledi and his education department only announced a top school in four of the six districts. The schools in the other two districts were not producing enough university exemption candidates. Mbilwi Secondary School with its 91.9% university exemptions and 98,84 % pass rate was announced as the top school in the Vhembe district, Harry Oppenheimer with 80% exemptions first in Capricorn, Masiza Secondary with 70.7% exemptions first in Mopani and Glen Cowie with 65.4% exemptions first in Sekhukhune. The districts who had no top schools are Waterberg and Bohlabela.

Principals have been deliberately encouraged to enrol many learners at higher grade rather than at standard grade. This campaign may not produce public glory but will guarantee university entrance to many learners.

The campaign has already raised the number of Grade 12 students enrolled for higher grade subjects. There were 53 038 higher grade enrolments, more than 2005.

Motsoaledi said that enrolling more learners in the important subjects at higher grade may not bear immediate fruit but will take the province a step further towards achieving the aims and objectives of the PGDS (Provincial Growth and Development Strategy), ASGISA (Accelerated Shared Growth Initiative) for South Africa and the 6% growth rate targeted by the government. "Far too often you come across many learners who have passed matric many years ago with flying colours but at standard grade, who cannot get into university or get employed anywhere. They just sit and wait forever," Motsoaledi said.