Readers agree 30% pass must end as pupils unmotivated to reach potential
Low standards ‘cruel, not kind’, as is poor quality basic education
TotT’s latest Facebook question was: What is your take on Mmusi Maimane’s proposal that the education department should end the 30% pass mark?
Most of TotT’s online respondents agreed with Maimane.
Silvanus Welcome said he totally agreed.
“Many of these kids enter university. And they fail. Not all of them, but a large number.
“They don’t know what it is to push hard and achieve a certain level of excellence in their academics. It has become too easy to have matric.
“Also, many of them get matric because of this 30% pass. And they end up doing nothing or settle for anything. They then look for easy ways out by joining the police, nursing,’ defence, etc and don’t do these jobs well. Why? Because it s about having a job and a salary with no passion for the career.”
Kevin Marlow said: “Prof Jonathan Jansen from the University of Stellenbosch has been quoted as saying grade 12 has been dumbed down to the extent that unless one achieves an average pass above 70%, the learner/student should not be at university.”
Arthur Marais said he agreed and he would not hire a matriculant with a 30% pass.
Yvonne MacKenzie Botha said companies were being forced to hire such matriculants.
Mzukisi Ka-Gwata said: “There are many interventions that must be put in place to improve our education.
“But not every student has to go to university. Universities in South Africa continue to produce doctors and engineers.
“Rather than fixate on the 30% pass mark, we must make many pathways available for our school leavers.”
He added that many children in SA were sadly not able to develop to their full potential because they lacked the right nutrition.
Charmaine Els said she was in agreement with the proposal.
“[The] 30% pass rate is honestly shocking.”
Among others who agreed were Vega Verster, Lizette Zeelie, Linda Dengler, Moira Stirk, Ria Muller Greaves, Saunders Taka Kungz and Johan van Zyl. Marielle Wilson Ford said: “It’s a no-brainer. Pun intended.”
Ann Atteridge-Tyrrell said: “Sooner the better. If you have the ability you will trump 30%.
“Why bother trying harder when you know that an exception will be made for you?”
Barbara Davisson asked: “How can most students achieve anything with a 30% pass rate? Should be minimum 75%. As usual we hear how well the matrics have done with a total 76% pass rate, but what has been achieved? Sweet nothing.”
Dawn Hains said she totally agreed with Maimane. “Pass mark should be 50%.”
Trish Shearar echoed Hains’ sentiment, saying: “30% is not a pass mark. 50% is on the cusp.”
Jürgen Kahle said the quality of basic education needed to be pushed up.
“This can’t simply be done by changing the pass mark up or down, but needs to be addressed at a bigger level, including teacher’s salaries, safety in schools, attendance issues, actual levels of education being presented, availability of books and learning materials. And a host of other issues that need to be addressed and resolved.”
Ryan Owsley said keeping a country uneducated would keep the wrong party in power.
Colleen Denniss shared Owsley’ sentiments.
Linda Reynolds said: “I agree, who wants to visit a medical doctor with a 30% pass rate or a teacher or a pharmacist and such like.”
Elaine Hatton said: “I think we have devalued the old apprenticeships that were available in carpentry, building, electricians, hairdressing and plumbing, which led to good jobs.”
Phyllis Barker said: “If you are only passing by 30%, you don’t know the subject well enough to move on.”
Greg Olsen said: “We’re raising a country of idiots!
“Just because half of the ANC government only has Standard 4 education, why deprive the younger generation of a proper education!”
Roy Smith said: “Setting low standards is not kind. It’s cruel.”
Only Siya Ngubo disagreed with Maimane’s proposal.
“I’m disappointed in him for thinking it’s that easy.
“There’s a lot of factors that contribute to making that 30% necessary for now, you can’t just decide to increase it.”