Mediocre pass rate is not the way to go

NELSPRUIT – It seems long after the grade 12 results’ applause has faded, and people with political ambition are now criticising the government on the “suspicious pass rate” demanding that the credibility of the results be probed.

One question remains: If a learner needs to obtain only a 30-per cent pass mark, is the matric certificate still an important document to own in this country? Immediately after basic education minister,

Ms Angie Motshekga had announced that 78,2 per cent of matriculants had passed their final exams, opposition parties demanded an investigation into the credibility of these results.

But for some education experts, the pass rate is no cause for celebration. They have argued that the system will produce only mediocre future leaders with an educational background which is not grounded.

University of the Free State’s vice-chancellor, Prof Jonathan Jansen, recently made headlines when he called for the matric pass mark to be increased to 50 per cent in an opinion piece he wrote for a weekly newspaper.

Remembering the youth who fought for better education in the 1970s, I asked the local youngsters if the low mark bothered them and if it should be increased and this is what some had to say.

“The 30 per cent allocation to boost results is something that shouldn’t be entertained in our country. It should raise concern, if not eyebrows. A person who has a bachelor’s pass and is accepted at a higher institution, will only be disappointed because a four-year degree takes seven years. If we want quality results, we should do away with the quantity being produced and allowed by our current government administration.

“If one answers only three out of 10 questions on a subject correctly, that person is not knowledgeable or competent in that subject. How do you then expect the very same person not to struggle at varsity? They will definitely drop out,” said Pardon Nkosi, an industrial psychology student at Unisa.

“What are we being taught here,settling for mediocrity? If you do 30 per cent of your job, does your boss rejoice and praise you and say ‘well done’?” said Harvey Khosa who will be writing matric next year.

For Mathabela Vanessa, settling for an average pass two years ago was not a good idea.

“I was not satisfied at all with my performance, but the pressure of going to university caused me not to think properly. I should have gone back to matric and improve my marks because now I am struggling and have already changed the course I was doing and settled for something easier,’ she said.

But some are only concerned about what happens now and are not worried about how this will affect them in future.

“Who cares? As long as I pass matric and qualify to look for a job, any pass is all I need,” said Zane Mthethwa who started matric last week.

Makhubela Nomthandazo said, ” Some of us are just average people by nature and this pass mark works to our advantage. I’m not saying that we should relax and only aim for the minimum, but if 30 per cent is all you can get, then they should let you pass.”