Cape Town – South African politician, businessman, and Leader of Build One South Africa, Mmusi Maimane has taken to Twitter to share his thoughts on the country’s education system and the 30% pass mark.
Maimane said that any pass mark under 50% is a “deception of South Africans”.
South Africa faces many issues that include energy, finance, unemployment, crime, rural development, and corruption, and Maimane pointed out what he believes to be a flaw in the country’s education system: education.
“A matric certificate should be issued on the basis of passing six subjects with 50% or more,” he wrote on Twitter.
“50% is the real pass mark. Anything else is deception of South Africans.”
Currently the certificate pass which is used to announce the pass rate is as follows.
3 subjects at 40% (including home language)
3 subjects at 30% (including language of learning)
The certificate is issued on an average mark of 35% and this is not right.
— Mmusi Maimane (@MmusiMaimane) January 9, 2023
Many of his followers seemed to share his sentiment on the low mark.
That 30% pass Angie Motshekga implemented was, is and will be an insult to black South Africans as long as it’s in place.
The Department of Education basically said we can’t get 50%s and thus lowered the bar. Undermining our intelligence. https://t.co/AWeB970fhx
— @ObserveMr (@ObserveMr) January 9, 2023
when they get to University, they struggle to get the required 50% to pass their modules and then they drop out.?? https://t.co/oNU5x78ZS1
— ☠️Ｌｅｅ Ｋｈｕｐａ (@LeekhupaZA) January 9, 2023
Say it loud for the people at the back. https://t.co/dXRLpsT4vE
— Sudhir Sukraj (@Sudhiir_S) January 9, 2023
I agree. Why are students expected to pass with 30% at high school, when university requires 50%? Basic education should build a foundation to higher education.
— Kgomotso Maluleka (@KgomotsoMalul12) January 9, 2023
Maimane also noted that “we do not pay our teachers enough”.
While sharing his thoughts, he added that private education is an alternative, but a very expensive one at that.
“Something is very wrong and the address of the failure is the department of basic education.
“When the public education system fails many parents desperately turn to the private education system and this creates an increase in the costs of that education.
“It is unsustainable.”
“The exorbitant cost of private schools in South Africa is a direct result of the failure of government to provide quality education,” he added.
Something is very wrong and the address of the failure is the department of basic education.
When the public education system fails many parents desperately turn to the private education system and this creates an increase in the costs of that education.
It is unsustainable. https://t.co/ZJkB4xaPRl
— Mmusi Maimane (@MmusiMaimane) January 10, 2023
“If the gov were doing their job, there would be very little need for private schools,” wrote one of his followers in response.
This government does not care about the education of your children. https://t.co/SO0dmidjsa
— Mmusi Maimane (@MmusiMaimane) January 11, 2023
Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Picture: Getty Images
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Junaid Benjamin
