MATRIC RESULTS
Focus on pass rate hides education crisis
Access to postschool qualifications matter enormously because the skills acquired are gateways to meaningful employment, writes Gavin Keeton
It is unfortunate that official commentary on the matric results focuses exclusively on the pass rate. While the achievements of pupils and their teachers, often against considerable odds, must be acknowledged, the pass rate on its own disguises severe problems facing our schooling in at least two respects. First, it ignores the many pupils who never get as far as matric. According to Stellenbosch academic Nic Spaull, 42% of pupils who were in grade 2 a decade ago never got to matric. Second, the pass rate on its own does not differentiate between levels of passes. The numbers achieving bachelor or diploma-level passes matter greatly as they are required for tertiary study. Access to postschool qualifications matter enormously because the skills acquired are gateways to meaningful employment. Unemployment in SA now exceeds 38%. According to Stats SA, unemployment among those without matric is 42% and with matric 34%.Unemployment among those with matric and a tertiary qualification w...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.