A KHAYELITSHA school has made history by becoming the first from a Western Cape township to be named one of the 10 top-performing schools in the province.

The Centre of Science and Technology (Cosat) in Ilitha Park recorded a 100 percent pass rate, with 79 percent of its candidates obtaining access to bachelor degree study and 98.6 percent passing maths. There were 70 pupils in Cosat's matric class.

These achievements mean the school is ranked as the ninth-best performer in the province.

The top school was Rustenburg High School for Girls. Herschel Girls' School took second place, and Bishops was third.

The top schools were announced at Premier Helen Zille's residence, Leeuwenhof, today.

The provincial education department considered the following criteria when determining the top schools of 2011:

• Consistency in the number of Grade 12 candidates over three years.
• An overall pass rate of at least 95 percent.
• Percentage of candidates with access to bachelor degree studies.
• Percentage of candidates who passed maths.

Education MEC Donald Grant said he was delighted by Cosat's achievements.

"I have visited the school on numerous occasions and there is a clear and present passion for mathematics and physical science at the school, which is obviously translating into good results."

He said a special tribute should be paid to Cosat's principal, Phadiela Cooper, its teachers and the district staff who had supported them.

The school has maintained an average pass rate of 99.3 percent over the past 10 years.

Most of its pupils have gone on to tertiary education and past pupils have become doctors, engineers, teachers and IT professionals.

Earlier this year, the Cape Argus profiled a matriculant who was one of the school's top achievers. Sihle Tom, who achieved stellar results despite battling TB, has been accepted at Stellenbosch University to study electrical engineering.

Cosat, one of three Stem (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) schools in the province, was established at False Bay College's Good Hope campus 13 years ago.

The school moved to its new premises in Ilitha Park last year.

Grant said the relocation and the new building meant that 300 additional pupils would have access to quality education.

Article courtesy of The Cape Argus Online: www.iol.co.za
Published: 17 Janaury 2012