NSC matric results nothing to celebrate
THE Class of 2022 who wrote the National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams, achieved a pass rate of 80.1%, according to the Department of Basic Education. Given that the pass mark in some subjects is as low as 30%, this figure is nothing to celebrate, as most school leavers will struggle to find jobs even having passed matric.
The DA says the pass rate is misleading, arguing the real matric pass rate – calculated by including the number of drop-outs prior to writing their final exams – is 54.6%. Only 58% of learners, according to the DA’s calculations, reach Grade 12.
There is no question the high drop-out rate is exacerbating youth unemployment, which in the third quarter of 2022 reached 59.6%. Unemployed youth are defined as those not at school, not enrolled at a training or tertiary institution and are not employed.
Only 38.4% of the 2022 matrics who wrote the NSC exams achieved sufficient marks to be accepted for a bachelor’s degree compared with 89.32% of learners who wrote the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) exams, highlighting the inherent inequality in our education system.
More than 98% of IEB learners passed the 2022 exams. The IEB consistently achieves a higher pass rate and more bachelor passes,.
A bachelor’s pass means the learner has passed six of seven subjects, achieved at least 50% in four subjects, at least 40% in their home language, at least 30% in their language of learning and teaching and at least 30% for one other subject. It’s important to note a bachelor’s pass does not mean automatic acceptance at university.
At government schools, poor educational outcomes are exacerbated by failing infrastructure and overcrowded classrooms.
In an article in Daily Maverick, Professor Omphemetse Sibanda said: “The notion of us being a meritocracy where everyone has a fair chance to succeed is almost non-existent in South Africa.”
Calling equal education in South Africa a myth and wishful thinking, he predicts that “educational equality by socio-eocomic background will persist at current levels throughout the next generation”.
Sibanda said schooling needed to be reformed to address inequality and foster accountability.
One of the big concerns is the poor pass rate in maths as a growing number of learners drop to the easier maths literacy. In 2018, 342 976 learners wrote maths literacy in the NSC exams. That number grew to 460 708 in 2022.
In comparison, 270 516 NSC learners wrote maths in 2018, growing to only 276 241 in 2022. Only 55% of NSC learners passed maths in the 2022 exams.
.One of the problems is a shortage of quality teachers. In a global study ranking the maths and science abilities of Grade 5 learners, 37% had even a basic understanding of maths and 28% had even a basic understanding of science. These outcomes deteriorated by the time learners reached Grade 9.
One study found the majority of Grade 3 teachers were unable to achieve even 50% in Grade 6 maths assessments.
In addition to addressing the high drop-out rate, we need to relook our curriculum to ensure that it is fit for purpose and equips learners with the skills for the job market of the future. We need to upskill our teachers, train more in the core STEM subjects of science, technology, engineering and maths and implement a culture of accountability in education.
Vested interests and political ideology need to be put aside as we reform the education system so that each learner has an equal opportunity. Kicking the can down the road while educational outcomes deteriorate does a great disservice to ou youth.