Almost two-thirds of metro adults feel South Africa's education system is generally good

But there is less satisfaction at a local level, especially around mathematics - expect protests

Johannesburg, 17 July 2012:  Whilst 64% of metro adults feel that South Africa's education system is good, only 54% are happy with the education system in their area.  These figures were released today by TNS South Africa, South Africa's leading marketing and social insights company.  They arise from two studies undertaken amongst 2 000 adults in South Africa's eight major metropolitan areas between in the first five months of 2012 (before the current textbooks debacle).  The studies have a margin of error of less than 2½% for the overall result.

In particular, there are greater concerns around mathematics: only 45% feel that South Africa learners do well at mathematics. 

Thirty percent disagree that the education system is good (6% gave a don't know response); 38% disagree that that they are happy with the education system in their area (6% don't know) and 42% disagree that learners do well at mathematics (13% don't know).

Whilst there are no differences by sex, younger people are somewhat more satisfied than older people.  Further, wealthier people are less happy than poorer people.  Afrikaans home-language speakers are the least satisfied with only 41% saying that the system is good and only 42% being happy at a local level.

Not surprisingly, there are large differences between the different race groups:

Geographically, there are also notable differences, driven partly by the differing racial profiles of the different areas.

People in the Eastern Cape (especially Port Elizabeth) are the least happy overall whilst those in Bloemfontein are the most satisfied.  The largest discrepancies between those happy with the system and those happy with the outcomes in their own area occur amongst blacks, people in Durban and people in the Eastern Cape.

What is the role of parents vs teachers?

One of the two studies looked at the role of parents and teachers in the education of our children.  Whilst nine out of ten people across the board feel that parents also have a responsibility when it comes to the education of their children, seven out of ten feel that parents are leaving the education of their children more and more to teachers.  Whilst demographic differences are low, the latter response was higher amongst residents of the East Rand, Cape Town and East London and lower amongst those in Soweto.

Our take out

A study carried out by TNS at the beginning of 2011 showed that 52% felt that the quality of education here is good - essentially, there has been no real movement since then.  Further, the difference between the overall view and the local view suggests that some people might want to move their children to other areas - this applies particularly to blacks, people in Durban and people in the Eastern Cape.  The concerns about mathematics (and, hence, probably all sciences) are a major issue for South Africa.

That, overall, over a third of people are unhappy with the education system as they experience it suggests that this could very easily become a flashpoint: TNS has sown in the past that, once dissatisfaction with service delivery reaches a third of people, protests become a possibility. 

A second study carried out in March 2011 showed that only 40% of metro residents feel that Government invests sufficiently in teacher preparation, training and support, 65% feel that the quality of teaching materials such as textbooks is letting learners down and 83% feel that the upgrading of school buildings and facilities must be Government's number one priority.  The current textbook fiasco simply adds grist to this mill.

It is also clear that parents have a major role in the education of their children but that there is a real danger of this responsibility being abrogated more and more to teachers - a deeper societal approach is required.

In recent speeches made by various politicians concerning the ANC's policies, poverty, unemployment (especially that of the youth) and inequality are frequently cited as Government's major concerns - justifiably so.  But without a much improved education system, especially around mathematics and the sciences, none of these are achievable.

Technical note:

The studies were conducted amongst 2 000 adults (1290 blacks, 355whites, 245 coloureds and 110 Indians/Asians) in the eight major metropolitan areas: They have a margin of error of under 2.5% for the results found for the total sample.  The studies use probability sampling techniques and are fully representative of the major metropolitan areas.  The studies were conducted by TNS South Africa as part of their ongoing research into current social and political issues and were funded by TNS. 

Statement issued by Neil Higgs, TNS South Africa, July 17 2012

Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter