Matric: Officials' necks on the line

Heads will roll should the Gauteng matric pass rate drop by even one percent age point.

Yesterday, education MEC Panyaza Lesufi announced the department's commitment to reclaiming its top position, saying his head of department, Boy Ngobeni, and district directors would resign should the pass rate drop.

More than 140 000 part- and full-time Grade 12 Gauteng pupils begin their exams on October 27 .

The province last attained the top position in 2011.

Though teacher unions supported the sentiment behind Lesufi's ambition to succeed, they said the resignations of senior staff were "unrealistic".

SA Democratic Teachers Union general secretary Mugwena Maluleke said though there was nothing wrong with the agreement, South Africa's labour laws would complicate the voluntary resignations agreed on.

"A drop is not determined by the work done by one individual. There are many factors that contribute to the drop of a pass, including the child's home environment and much more," he said.

National Professional Teachers' Organisation of SA president Basil Manuel wished Lesufi luck, saying he could not "imagine how the resignations would be possible".