Little faith in education system - survey

2011-01-20 11:45

Johannesburg - As children over the country return school this month, a recent survey has indicated that over a third of metropolitan adults feel the quality of education is poor.

"The results of this study suggest that there is relatively little confidence in the education system... This does not augur well for people seeking employment," Neil Higgs, director of innovation and development at TNS Research Surveys said on Thursday.

The study was conducted in mid-2010 and looked at perceptions of primary and secondary education. It polled 2 000 adults – 1 260 blacks, 385 whites, 240 coloureds and 115 Indians - from the seven major metropolitan areas.

"[They were] interviewed face-to-face in their homes, with a margin of error of under 2.5%," he said.

Primary school level

"Whilst the matric pass rate amongst full-time learners rose, it is generally agreed that the foundations begin at primary school level."

With this in mind, people were asked to agree or disagree with two questions: "The quality of primary education in South Africa is good" and "The quality of secondary education in South Africa is good".

Higgs said it was found younger people were more positive in their responses.

"There is little variation in the results for those having children at home compared with those who do not."

Amongst the black language groups, those whose home language was Sotho were more positive about primary education, whilst Zulus were more positive about secondary education.

Regarding areas, Gauteng was more positive about education quality than Cape Town, Durban and the Eastern Cape.

- SAPA