BOSA launches petition to change pass mark to 50%

Pass mark

Cape Town — Mmusi Maimane’s BuildOne South Africa (BOSA) started a petition in a bid to get the pass mark increased from 30% to 50%, citing youth unemployment as one of the key reasons.

In a petition launched on change.org, the party revealed that 14 000 signatures have been signed already as BOSA said South Africa is one of the leading countries when it comes to youth unemployment.

“With South Africa top of the youth unemployment crisis globally, the continued matric pass mark requirement of just 30% cannot continue a day longer. A meagre 30% pass hurts our pupils, the education system, and in the long run the economy,” BOSA said.

BOSA argued that a 30% pass mark undermined the intellect of South Africa’s youth and an increase in the pass mark would lead to greater opportunity for the youth including an obfuscation of the basic education crisis, education leaders to escape accountability and the enchantment of mediocrity and low expectations.

“We call on Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, to commit to scrapping this low standard and increasing the matric pass mark to 50%. We must equip our young people to compete and win in the global economy. And they can with quality education. This begins by upping the matric pass mark,” BOSA concluded.

According to TimesLIVE, BOSA’s call for a higher pass mark is not new. Last year, BOSA deputy president, Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster raised the issue in Parliament with Minister of Education, Siviwe Gwarube, to raise the pass mark to 50%.

Gwarube acknowledged concerns surrounding the pass mark but said there are no immediate plans to raise it. She said changing the pass mark requires consultations and expert advice.

“The minister has devoted time to fully understanding the challenges confronting the basic education sector, including consulting with provincial MECs, their management teams and stakeholders to gain first-hand information on the issues confronting provincial education departments,” she said.

The matric exam results will be released on January 13.

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Compiled by Matthew Petersen

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