The matric pass rate needs to be increased to 50%, says BOSA. [Picture: Jason Boud/IOL]
The negligible matric pass rate is affecting youth’s employment opportunities, but this is just one aspect of the education sector making the case for urgent reform. This is according to Build One South Africa (BOSA), which this week called for the bar to be raised.
Speaking in an interview with Salaamedia on Thursday, the party’s deputy leader, Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster MP said “even just the perceived quality of the matric certificate” contributed to employability after school. This as 882 336 matriculants get started with their final exams.
Hlazo-Webster said that, with Angie Motshekga’s hands off the education portfolio, it was now up to her successor, the DA’s Siviwe Gwarube, to effect seriously-needed change. Starting with upping the 30% pass rate that has adversely affected education outcomes over the years.
“We have a new minister. Actually, it’s a minister that we have great confidence in as a party, minister Siviwe Gwarube. What we expect to see an overhaul of the education system, which really has been in regression for the past 15 years. We’ve given an array of reforms that needs to happen to the education system. It’s not just the pass mark.”
Replying to a parliamentary question from BOSA, Gwarube indicated that there were presently “no immediate plans” to increase the pass rate from 30% to 50%. However, she said she intended to appoint an advisory council – its purpose being to “inform the necessary reforms in the sector.
Hlazo-Webster said the issue of the pass rate was one amongst many undermining the R300 billion education budget. Unqualified teachers and a lack of resources were also major concerns.
“There are many instances where you do not even have qualified educators in the system. There are people who are unqualified who’ve somehow been able to slip into the system. You have to make sure that you upskill educators, you have to make sure you have resources and the facilities that are necessary in our schools.”
