Gauteng's education MEC on Thursday asked retired teachers and principals to voluntarily help tackle underperforming schooling.

It was a major concern that in 15 years of democracy on average 80 percent of pupils had not matriculated in Gauteng, Barbara Creecy told about 1000 retired teachers at a seminar in Midrand.

She said the department implored retired teachers to help. Those willing could volunteer a couple of hours a week or alternatively help out for a few weeks while current teachers received the necessary training on the curriculum.

"This initiative is not determined in any way to jeopardise the teachers already in schools."

Creecy said teachers would receive intensive curriculum training while retired educators would substitute.

The retirees could also be called in to help educate parents on helping their children do their homework.

"We cannot just say parents must do homework when they do not have the adequate abilities."

Creecy said the department was in the process of creating training manuals for the retired teachers to help them get abreast of the current curriculum.

The retired teachers would be voluntarily employed at 790 underperforming primary schools, as well as some high schools. Subjects most required were linguistics, mathematics, science, accounting and geography.

Creecy also said discipline was a problem.

"We are deeply concerned about... discipline, but we believe that it is possible to reintroduce discipline without corporal punishment."

Teachers needed to set an example for young people and parents needed to take greater responsibility for their children.

A safety strategy paper was currently before the provincial executive council. Included in this was how to introduce psycho-social support for troubled children. She expected this would be on the cards during the current financial year.

Creecy said 15 years into democracy the country could not change what had already occurred, but it could change the future.

While volunteer recruitment was not a quick fix, Creecy said in the interim: "We have to start by asking those before us what they think we must do."

While 12 million children were in schools and almost 100 percent of children attended primary school, pupils' performance was not improving quickly enough.

Between 1994 and 2009, of all the Grade 3 pupils in Gauteng tested, less than 30 percent could read and write. Just over 40 percent could do basic maths. Of the pupils in Grade 6, less than 40 percent were competent in basic maths.

"Just over 50 percent of children are literate after six years of schooling."

Creecy said the matric pass rate was a yo-yo effect.

"We never break through that 80 percent banner."

Creecy said the seminar was overwhelmingly attended. Initially a small hall had been booked, but with the large response they had to organise transport and a much larger venue.

"We are really humbled and impressed, it far exceeded expectations."

The department was currently considering travel allowances and subsidies for the volunteers because it was not considered formal employment. It had also earmarked around R150-billion for teacher development and to help with extra teachers.

Creecy said along with the additional weekend classes during 2010, the department would run extra classes during the World Cup school break.