THOHOYANDOU – The matriculants of 2002 of the Limpopo Province have achieved a 69.5 percent pass rate - ten percent higher than last year's pass rate of 59. 5 percent.

According to a spokesperson for the Department of Education, more than 92 000 learners sat for this year's matric examination, of which 74 000 were fulltime students while 18 000 were part-time.

Over the years, the province has shown remarkable improvement in its matric pass rates. In 1999, the province achieved a 51.5 pass rate and in 2000 the pass rate improved by eight percent to 59. 5 percent.

According to provincial education spokesperson Freddy Greaver, the success is attributed to the strategic interventions by the department to improve education in the province. "We have identified all under performing schools, all areas of hindrances to better education and we have also played a major role in encouraging our learners to work hard," Greaver said.

"We are determined to maintain the high standard," he added.

The best performing schools in the province this year were the Harry Oppenheimer Agricultural High School in Sekhukhune, Mbilwi Secondary School in Sibasa and Moutsi Maria Secondary School in Polokwane.

Improvement has also been noted in schools in the province that previously had a zero percent pass rate. Some of these schools this year managed to achieve pass rates of between 50 and 57 percent.

Top performers were Leon Nauta of Ben Vorster High School in Region 5 with an aggregate of 2175, Edzisani Mphaphuli of Mbilwi High in Region 3 obtained a 2151aggregate, Susanna Hebst of Warmbad High in Region 1 (2133), Landman Tunie of Ben Vorster (2106), Mashudu Makananise and Phathutshedzo Mabogo of Mbilwi, with 2045 and 2080 respectively.

In her reaction, MEC Joyce Mashamba salutes all the teachers for the sacrifices they continue to make for the learners. "Learners, we are proud of you and your achievement, you are now our ambassadors, show the rest of the world what we in Limpopo are made of. Carry yourself like true sons and daughters of our beloved country, and work as change agents to transform this country."