I had the pleasure of reading and being
entertained by an article in one of South Africa’s prestigious newspapers, the “Mail and Guarding”;were the Minister of
Primary Education Angie Motshekga and
Mamphela Ramphela, former vice councillor of University of Cape Town and World Bank Director were having a
go at each other through the media. As I read the reporters detailed article I
noticed how the "kid gloves" came off the Minister’s hands as she hit back in
a reply statement made by the academic Ramphela .The main issue between the two
educated ladies was about the level of South Africa’s Primary and Secondary public
schools.Have we not all expressed a view about that issue? Read more
The “Cat fight” to me looked like it was sparked by
Mamphela Ramphela when she delivered a lecture at the sixth annual Solomon Mahlangu Lecture at University
of Johannesburg held on 22 March 2012. She said, "Maths Literacy, what is
that?” I was particularly entertained when the “Minister of Defensive” as she
was dubbed by one individual commenting on the Mail and Guarding
online article. She reacted by saying, “We may not be where we want to be. But it’s
wrong -- I think treacherous --
to say we’re going back to Bantu Education.” Talk about a two-way asymmetric communication (little or delayed feedback by receiver to
the sender of the message). I believe it is high time South African public schools imitate what other African countries, like Zimbabwe have done, in adopting the British O and A Level system. The qualification equips primary and secondary children to prepare for a University entrance with a reasonable literacy rate. If I compare a Zimbabwean’s literacy level with that of South African, the later is put to shame dismally. Zimbabwe’s Examination Council before the fall from grace had long since partnered with University of Cambridge International Examination GCE systems, in order to deliver quality scholars. I ask what is stopping us from giving our children in public schools one of the best educational O and A Level systems our neighbours are using.Read more
i must say that i love the cartoon but this system seem to be working on public school because the pass rate seem to be increasing, so let us keep it like that
ReplyDeletethanks for the input. but if you look at other countries you will find that thier past rate norms and expectations of themselves is around 80 and 90 percent..lea ving us below average. i say 100percent should b the aim in all we do
Delete@Clive i think the pass rate is being boost by the top authorities. Is the shame to see how much budget is spend on education in SA, it exceed all money for other departments but still nothing is work well.
ReplyDeleteyes and i would like to add that a pass mark of 40percent of 35percent is not a pass..its a pass just to push a child through knowing only 35% of the work n to put that person in the 70% pass rate stats
DeleteIs the minister failing to deliver?
ReplyDeleteno she is not..answer is in the system that was put in place even before she was minister. look at the education ministers before her,they had similar outcomes and no education minister ever stood out in terms of exeptional work done in their respective department
Deletedo you think students are not putting an effort in making their matric results be the best that they can be or someone else is to blame for this?
ReplyDeleteThe same issue you broght up funny enough is still an issue that varsity students bring forth. It is question in soccer that puzzles many if whether we should blame the couch or the players for losing a match. The is enough blame to go around in the departmnet of education,thus this means co ordination is needed between school pupils and their teachers.
ReplyDeleteI think its about time South African's Authorities to start employing the non South Africans to take part in our education systems perheps that will accumulate the standard of O and A level systems jst like Tebza has explained.
ReplyDeleteSouth Africa mustadopt the British style of teaching and learning.How can one teach a child in a lower level and expect him to pass with flying colours? the education system should prepare the kids for higher institute as early as possible.
ReplyDeletewell it is very important for chldren to get a good foundation so that they dont struggle when they get to higher levels of eduaction. if a good foundation is missed then there is a high possibility for failure or minimum perfomance from those students.adopting this british thing would be a great idea.
ReplyDeleteThe Mail & who? aha-ha, Cde. Anfie Motshekga is not the reasoning type but would just put you in your place, reflect on the live debates at our very own APK just before the elections. Personally think she is steadily getting at the targeted goal.
ReplyDeleteps. ANGIE
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