EDUCATION
CLAIRE BISSEKER: SA is becoming more educated — slowly
About 56% of the matric cohort now passes matric, up from 49% in 2014
Everyone knows that SA is at the bottom of the international pile of countries that measure their educational performance, but it’s a myth to think we are becoming less educated. In 2003, SA’s grade 9 maths students were the bottom performers globally in the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (Timss), which is conducted every four years. In the Timss 2015 ranking, SA shifted to second last just above Saudi Arabia. But since the Arab nation tests its grade 8s not its grade 9s it would be fair to say that SA was still rock bottom. However, Stellenbosch University researcher Nic Spaull feels that though SA’s educational outcomes are dire, there are "encouraging signs" that things are improving. The evidence, he says, is in the rising percentage of South African students who reach the minimum Timss benchmark in maths. In 2015, 34% of SA’s grade 9 students met this low international benchmark, compared with 24% in 2011. Moreover, about 56% of the matric cohort (the gro...
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