This paper seeks to analyse the trends
of education indicators that affect
efficiency at schools in the Eastern Cape in
the period 2009 to 2013. The focus is on
the state of public ordinary schools which
include primary and secondary schools
from grade one to grade twelve. The
province is regarded as a poor province as
it constituted 95% of quintile one to three
schools which are declared as ‘no fee
schools’. There had been decline in learner
performance as learners’ progress to
higher grades and a drastic decline in
important subjects such as Mathematics.
The province had a significant number of
educators with 16 years’ experience and
an average of 45% under-qualified
educators in 2013. There were variations
in educator learner ratios per district with
larger ratios found in the former Transkei.
The province progressed well in learner
transport, learner teacher support material
and school nutrition programmes. There
was no virtual change in infrastructural
developments. Education in schools should
be provided in a manner that ensures
learners can realise their potential and
aspirations, in schools that facilitate
learning and reduce societal disparities.