Mixed expectations for 2016 matric results
Updated | By Slindelo Masikane
All eyes are on the Department of Basic Education today. Minister Angie Motshekga is expected to announce the pass rate and outcomes of the 2016 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations.
Anxious matrics are holding their breathe to hear whether the Class of 2016 improved on the 2015 pass rate of 70,7 percent. That was five percent lower than the pass rate of the Class of 2014.
The National Professional Teachers' Organisation of South Africa (Naptosa) spokesperson Basil Manuel says they don't expect a dramatic increase.
"We expect a slight increase, which is a bonus. Naptosa believes it is about the quality of passes, it is about Maths and Maths Literacy. Those are where the red flags are flying particularly high," he says.
Manuel believes the biggest problems with Maths is that South Africa has a large cohort of good teachers that are not Maths teachers and who need interventions in terms of methodology.
ALSO READ: How to access your 2016 matric results
Quality assurance body Umalusi gave its go ahead for the department to release the results last week.
Umalusi highlighted that there has been little improvement in Maths results over the years.
"We have not been able to move the needle. It is one subject where the performance is completely flat. It is alarming that since 2014, Mathematical Literacy (Maths Lit) is no longer the soft option it used to be, Maths Lit is as hard as Maths," says Chairman John Volmink.
Meanwhile, the General Secretary of teachers' union Sadtu, Mugwena Maluleke says the union expects a slight increase in the pass rate.
"We expect improvements in the overall quality especially looking at the number roof those that will qualify for bachelor's degrees in order to contribute to economic development of the country," says Maluleke.
Sadtu agrees with Naptosa that teachers need more support but believes the issues in Maths are historical.
The Federation of Governing Bodies of South African Schools (Fedsas) says it is confident that matric learners from its member schools will do them proud, ahead of the announcement of the pass rate for the class of 2016 this evening. Fedsas Deputy CEO Jaco Deacon, encouraged the class of 2016 to use the skills learned during their 12 years of schooling to contribute to nation building.
"We have high expectations from our member schools. We expect the learners will accomplish great results because they have worked very hard over the past 12 years, we encourage these earners to use the skills they learnt in school and to make a contribution to the country," says Deacon.
Show's Stories
-
LISTEN: Actress Sophie Joans talks about her award-winning play
Two extraordinary stage talents, Sophie Joans and Rob van Vuuren, have t...
The Drive with Rob & Roz 13 hours ago -
LISTEN: The best road trip tips ahead of the Easter weekend
From traffic to packing, Rob Forbes and Rozanne McKenzie are sharing tip...
The Drive with Rob & Roz 16 hours ago