The
S outher n C ross
January 22 to January 28, 2020
Reg No. 1920/002058/06
No 5171
www.scross.co.za
Porn: The big threat to our children
Nuncio speaks on his time in SA
Page 13
Page 3
R12 (incl VAT RSA)
Centenary Jubilee Year
The truth on venerating images
Page 16
MATRIC CELEBRATION BUMPER 20-PAGE ISSUE
Best matric in 15 years for Catholic schools STAFF REPORTER
C
Pilgrimage 2020
S outher n C ross
ATHOLIC schools recorded their highest pass rate in 15 years, with an overall average of 90,8%, according to statistics from the Catholic Institute of Education (CIE). In the National Senior Certificate exams, the pass rate for Catholic schools was 88,5%, a significant 7,25% above the national average of 81,3%, and 3,3% higher than the 2018 result. The pass rate for Catholic schools writing the Independent Examination Board (IEB)— usually private schools—was 99%, the same as last year’s result and 0,8% above the IEB average. Pupils at state-funded Catholic schools achieved a 49,7% bachelor pass rate, against 36,9% nationally. In the IEB examination, this was 89,5%, exactly the same as the overall average. Nine Catholic school pupils writing the IEB exam achieved “Commendable” passes, which means they were in the top 5% in five subjects and a rating of 7 in Life Orientation. Five pupils at Catholic schools achieved “Outstanding” passes, which means they were in the top 5% in six or more subjects and a level 7 pass in Life Orientation. However, said Anne Baker, deputy-director of the CIE, “our thoughts [also] must be with those young people who did not pass and who may be facing deep disappointment and
even despair”. “It is up to parents and teachers to help the young people in their care to see this as a part of their life journey and that they can try again,” she said. President Cyril Ramaphosa has hailed the 81,3% matric pass rate—the first time it has exceeded the 80% threshold since 1994—as “a triumph and a clear signal that government’s substantial investment in education, in pupil and teacher support and in educational infrastructure is yielding results”. Ms Baker welcomed the improved national matric pass rate. “We would like to acknowledge the very hard-working teachers, especially those in Catholic schools,” she said. “With this examination being so important in the country, we need to congratulate parents, teachers and especially the pupils who have worked hard to achieve this gateway qualification.” However, she also pointed to problem areas. “Much hard work is directed towards Grade 12s every year. Schools face daunting pressure to achieve 100% pass rates, and the competition to be the ‘top’ province absorbs a great deal of time and energy in districts and circuits,” she noted. This competition, she said, leads to a dropout of pupils in order for provinces to obtain higher pass rates. Continued on page 2
Vendor Vusi Meyiwa with some of the books he has had for sale as part of the Street Lit project. Along with other homeless people, Mr Meyiwa sold second-hand books on the Durban beachfront. (Photo: Illa Thompson)
Hunger for books feeds homeless in Durban
I
N just two weeks over the festive season, more than 1 000 books were sold on the Durban beachfront to holidaymakers which produced a substantial income of over R20 000 for the homeless men and women who were set up as booksellers by the Denis Hurley Centre as part of the Street Lit project. Street Lit aims to put books back on the streets and in the hands of people who really want to read but cannot necessarily afford new books. The beachfront sales showed that there is a substantial market for books and that there are homeless people with great skills as booksellers. “Just as everyone has the chance to enjoy the beach, everyone should have the chance to read on the beach,” said Raymond Perrier, director of the Denis Hurley Centre. Books are sold at R10 or R20 each. Richard Nzima is one of the booksellers. Until a few months ago, he was sleeping rough on the streets of Durban. He said he was overwhelmed by the support from the general public. “So many people came up to us to say what a great idea this was. One couple from
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Johannesburg asked us to come and start the project to help homeless people there!” People loved taking photos with the booksellers in their distinctive uniforms, which were sponsored by Jonsson Workwear. Pat Khumalo, another bookseller, joked that they might one day be as much a part of the Durban beachfront as the rickshaw drivers or the bikini-clad surfers. The booksellers were given first-aid training by St John Ambulance. “I was twice able to step in and help someone who was knocked over by a bike,” Mr Khumalo noted. Mr Perrier, who is also chair of the eThekwini Task Team on Homelessness, is confident that Deputy Mayor Belinda Scott will want to see the pilot expand. “We hope to have a regular permit for several points along the beachfront,” Mr Perrier said. “Thereafter the scope is to use our mobile book trolleys to have book sales all around the city centre, at taxi ranks or in open areas. We have proven that there is a thirst for good books at affordable prices—and we have given some homeless people a chance to turn their lives around.”
Pray in Medjugorje and visit Rome, with papal audience, Assisi, the town of St Francis, Loreto with Mary’s House. Plus a tour of historic Split in Croatia. Three countries in one tour!