I wonder if there is a proper consultation between the Minister of basic Education and his department officials. There was a badly crafted invitation for public comment on proposed changes to the national senior certificate exam policy and regulation that even Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga was confused about it. Embarrassed officials said there were no plans to dumb down matric by lowering the required mark for a distinction from 80 to 70 percent.
The public-comment invitations published in the Government Gazette on August 26 had been "badly crafted" - and misinterpreted as a result. The item dealt with proposed changes to national senior certificate exam policy and regulations, and suggested changes to what would be required for a pupil to get a merit pass.
The public-comment invitations published in the Government Gazette on August 26 had been "badly crafted" - and misinterpreted as a result. The item dealt with proposed changes to national senior certificate exam policy and regulations, and suggested changes to what would be required for a pupil to get a merit pass.
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ReplyDeleteDr. Mamphela Ramphele put it stupendously clear when she responded on the issue: "It's such lunacy". By lowering standards we basically undervalue ourselves, all in a quest to sugar coat and offer our learners an easy way out.
ReplyDeleteStandards have been lowered already, with a pass in the FET phase at 30%, which does not form any of higher learning institution's pass requirement. Our learners lack the urge or drive to excel, and display apathy with regard to issues relating to them, because their older brothers and sisters are proclaimed educated but can't make means to keep poverty at bay.
What is more appalling is the Minister of Basic Education's assertion that "It is quite strange" when request to comment on the dumb-down issue. On whose mandate are her subordinates, who wanted public participation on Changes to the Policy & Regulations Governing the new NSC (Gov Gazette of 26 Aug), working on? Perplexed!