Education system not bad, says FF+
2014-01-07 22:30
Johannesburg - The South African school education system
is not bad, but many factors have a negative effect on its success, the FF Plus
said on Tuesday.
However, the situation could be turned around if the
problems were "addressed purposefully and with strong leadership",
said Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) parliamentary leader Dr Pieter Groenewald.
"The lack of discipline in some schools, among both
learners and some teachers, should be seen as one of the major reasons for the
education problems," he said.
Other factors were trade unions, corruption and poor
service delivery.
Groenewald said the 2013 matric results raised questions
about the quality of the education system.
"It's in the country's interest to make drastic
changes."
Serious attention would need to be given to the pass
requirements of the subjects needed to pass matric.
"It's unacceptable that matric can be passed if a
learner obtains 30% in three subjects and at least 40% in three more
subjects."
He said the job market required more, and school leavers
were wrong if they thought a matric certificate would ensure them a job.
Another problem was the number of drop-outs.
"Poverty and social problems also have a big
influence on the number of learners who do not complete their school
careers."
Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga announced a 78.2%
pass rate for the 2013 matric class on Monday.
In 2009, when Motshekga took over as minister, the pass
rate was 60.6%. It has climbed steadily since then.