IMF report slams SA’s education folly
Costly, politically expedient interventions will not fix SA’s dysfunctional education system; we must tackle the root causes of the problem
Without addressing the weak foundations at the primary and secondary school levels, the government’s flagship policy of free tertiary education is likely to deliver disappointing results. At worst, it will prove downright wasteful. This is one of the hard-hitting conclusions in a new International Monetary Fund (IMF) working paper, "Struggling to Make the Grade: A Review of the Causes and Consequences of the Weak Outcomes of SA’s Education System". The authors, the IMF’s senior resident representative in SA, Montfort Mlachila, and Wits PhD student Tlhalefang Moeletsi, note that the government has had limited success in addressing the problems in education. The paper, which reflects their views and not those of the IMF, aims to provide a data-driven, evidence-based approach to inform the national debate as to what works and what doesn’t when it comes to improving education. They find that there is broad consensus internationally as to which interventions work best: pedagogical interv...
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.