The MEC for Education in Limpopo, Mr Dickson Masemola, urged teachers to work hard, so that they can meet the provincial target of 70% set for the matric pass rate this year.

Addressing more than 3 000 Grade 12 teachers from various high schools in the Vhembe District at the Louis Trichardt show grounds last Thursday, Masemola said teachers had to work extra hard, so that they could meet the target. "If other provinces like Gauteng can go above 70%, even Limpopo can do it. I am quite sure that we are going to achieve the set target of 70% in this province this year," he said.

He added hat this could only be achieved through dedication, commitment and hard work.

Teachers were afforded an opportunity to raise their concerns or the challenges facing them at their schools. Most of the challenges included a shortage of class rooms, a shortage of teachers, especially in maths and science, and the shortage of text books. One of the Grade 12 teachers, Mr Risimati Baloyi of Xikundu High in Malamulele, said that the fact that most of the learners could not read and write properly was contributing to the high failure rate. "This is something which needs to be addressed at primary level," he said.

Limpopo achieved 57.9% during the 2010 matric results, failing to meet the set target of 60%.