Parents, school governing bodies and pupils' organisations are against the KwaZulu-Natal education department's decision to ban matric farewell parties this year to improve matric pass rate.

Provincial education MEC Mthandeni Dlungwana last week issued a notice to all schools that matric farewell parties which would disturb teaching and learning had been forbidden.

Dlungwana said this was part of his department bounce-back strategy to change the province's matric fortunes.

In the matric class of 2015, KwaZulu-Natal was the second worst-performing province. It recorded a 60.7% pass rate, a decline of 9% from 69.7% achieved in 2014.

Department spokesman Sicelo Khuzwayo said the MEC's stance was to ensure that bachelor passes increase. "The plan is to ensure that people concentrate on their studies without any distractions. We know that the province has declined twice successively in the matric pass rate. We want to undo this image."

But parents' organisations said they had already prepared for the farewell functions and fear that their money would go to waste.

"They failed to tell us in advance and we went on to buy expensive clothes for our children. Besides, there is no evidence that, if these learners hold their matric dances, they would fail. Instead, I fear that learners would privately arrange their own parties and this would spell disaster," said Noxolo Mnyandu, secretary of the Durban South School Governing Body Association.

Two principals, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said their schools were pressing ahead with plans to host farewell functions for their pupils.

"We had planned well in advance for our matric dance, this is what the SGB, teachers and leaners want."

The Congress of South African Students provincial chairman, Siyabonga Phakathi, said: "Matric farewell functions are non-negotiable as they are part of the school calendar.

"They provide time for students to unwind while psychologically preparing for exams."