How does academic Metcalfe’s view on differentiated education differ from the old Nats?

IN HER defence of the proposed educational changes, especially with regards to the certification of the envisioned Grade 9 exit point, Mary Metcalfe, senior research associate at the University of Johannesburg, speaks as an academic far removed from the realities of what happens in South African schools and communities (Sunday Times: “Grade 9 certificate will help kids further”).

I’m not claiming that she’s ignorant of these tragic realities. Rather that her support of these deeply flawed proposals reveal two things: (1) she is clearly involved with those who devised this scheme, and (2) she speaks as part of a political cabal who devise these “alternatives”.

What Metcalfe consciously ignores is that the children who’ll fall prey to these questionable educational reforms are those millions who live under poverty-stricken conditions.

She, and others like her, accept the political status quo and believe the new regime has the will to bring about fundamental political, economic and social change. There are those who simply don’t because since the advent of democracy, the gap between the rich and poor has widened, unemployment has escalated, crime is rampant, the school dropout rate has increased and political corruption is in every government sector.

South Africans have little reason to imagine that life will improve. These are just hard, cold facts.

Metcalfe’s declarations that “this is not the only solution in our urgent challenge in improving learning outcomes” and “inclusive public debate is essential to a shared frame to improve implementation” beg a comment.

How sincere are she and her circle of policymakers in this instance?

How long did it take for the Department of Education and their advisers to trash the ill-fated OBE curriculum, and at what cost?

Political imperatives always precede meaningful consultation in the current political dispensation.

Why would it be any different now?

The “opportunities” Metcalfe and others like her are espousing will be non-existent.

In fact, it will lead to the ultimate realisation of the Verwoerdian dream: ensuring that children of the poor will continue to end up being what the architect of apartheid dreamt about – “hewers of wood and carriers of water”.

Given the systemic social, economic and educational inequalities which still exist, how will Metcalfe’s vision on differentiated education differ from the goals of the old Nationalist Party?

ABU BAKR SOLOMONS | Southfield