Members of the South African Parliament are set to vote on a significant issue that could alter the educational landscape of the country: the removal of the 30% pass mark for matriculants.
The vote, set to take place today, Tuesday the 2nd of December, follows growing concerns about the educational standards and the effectiveness of the current minimum requirements for high school learners.
Mmusi Maimane, leader of the Build One SA party, is at the forefront of this debate, arguing that the 30% threshold is undermining the learners’ academic potential and calling for its reassessment. He said, “End the 30% pass mark now, this is what BOSA has been calling for a long time now, and yet the South African government seems to be committed to defending the policy”.
Several other political parties are in support of Maimane’s proposal, expressing a strong agreement with the argument, articulating the need to allocate resources aimed at reducing socio-economic barriers that contribute to the ongoing challenges faced by learners in lower quintile schools.
MPs are arguing that the current pass rate not only limits the ambitions of students, but also reflects poorly on the government’s commitment to quality education.
More and more MPs believe that no learner can be proficient in any subject by obtaining over 30%. It sets low expectations and undermines both the learners and the teachers’ capabilities in producing good results.
Also see: Matric exams: Official marking process kicks off
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