Posts Tagged ‘GEC’

[LISTEN] Why Policy Change Could be Insufficient: Insights from Our Latest Research

Our Communications Lead recently joined Benito Vergontine on CapeTalk to discuss findings from our latest publication, School Dropout: Advocacy to Action. The conversation unpacked key insights from our research, including why policy changes alone aren’t enough and how psychosocial support plays a critical role in keeping learners engaged and in school. Tune in to the interview […]

[LISTEN] Beyond the 2025 Matric Results: Addressing School Dropout Through Psychosocial Support

Our Communications Lead sat down with Channel Africa to discuss the findings from our latest publication, School Dropout: Advocacy to Action, in the context of the 2025 matric results. The conversation explored the factors influencing learner success, why policy shifts alone aren’t enough, and how psychosocial support can help prevent school dropout. Listen to the interview […]

[LISTEN] Breaking the Cycle: Tackling South Africa’s School Dropout Crisis

Over 207,000 learners disappear from South Africa’s school system before reaching matric—highlighting a national education crisis that demands urgent action. In this episode, Samm Marshall speaks with Colin Wardle, Communications Lead at Zero Dropout, about the root causes of school dropouts, effective solutions, and how communities can play a role in keeping learners in school. […]

[LISTEN] “Dropout isn’t an event, it’s a process.” 

Our Programme Director, Merle Mansfield, sat down with YFM to unpack the findings of our latest publication, School Dropout: Advocacy to Action. The survey highlights how dropout is not an isolated incident but is deeply influenced by community and household factors. Listen to the full interview.

[LISTEN] What is the Throughput Rate and Why is it Important?

Our campaign director, Merle Mansfield, breaks down throughput rates and what this means in correlation to the latest matric results with TT on Power FM on 16 January 2025. Listen to the full interview as we dive into this important metric.

[LISTEN] 2024 Matric Throughput Rate is Cause for Concern

The results are in! Our Communications Lead breaks down the latest matric results, highlighting a small improvement in the throughput rate. But what does this really mean? And why is it important? Listen to him unpack this with Benito Vergotine from Smile FM on 13 January 2025.

[LISTEN] What can be done to lower SA’s teen pregnancy rate?

On this thought-provoking instalment of The Talking Point with Cathy Mohlahlana, Merle Mansfield, Programme Director of the Zero Dropout Campaign, discusses the teenage pregnancy crisis in South Africa and its contribution to school dropout. More than 4,000 girls between 10 and 19 years old have given birth in the Eastern Cape since the beginning of […]

BELA Bill passes despite falling short on dropout prevention.

The Zero Dropout Campaign notes the National Council of Province (NCOP) passing the Basic Education Law Amendment (BELA) Bill this morning. Last Thursday, the NCOP made a hurried attempt to pass this Bill, and in the process almost violated its own procedural requirements. “This piece of legislation will have a profound impact on the education […]

The DBE’s new GEC could be a dropout game changer, or exacerbator

Recently, the Department of Basic Education (DBE) published its Annual Performance Plan for the next financial year. Of particular interest to the Zero Dropout Campaign in the plan is the implementation and progress of the new General Education Certificate (GEC) pilot. According to the DBE’s plan, “The GEC recognises formal learning that has occurred by […]

[LISTEN] How will the new General Education Certificate affect dropout in South Africa?

In this SAfm interview with Stephen Grootes, Merle Mansfield, Programme Director of the Zero Dropout Campaign, discusses the protentional implications of the Department of Basic Education’s new General Education Certificate for Grade 9 currently being piloted in schools across South Africa. The General Education Certificate is scheduled for national implementation in 2025, and if so, […]

Experts question new education certificate’s impact on academic standards

There has been debate whether the General Education Certificate (GEC) will, despite its intentions, inadvertently formalise the dropout phenomenon in South Africa, which is still at crisis level.