ActionSA congratulates class of 2023 - but remain concerned schooling system does not adequately prepare youth for better future
18 January 2024
ActionSA congratulates the matric class of 2023 who have successfully passed their National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations despite the myriad of challenges placed in their way including load shedding and failing school infrastructure but remain concerned that the South African schooling system does not adequately prepare youth for South Africa’s economy.
While the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) achieved a pass rate of 98.6%, the Basic Education Department achieved a pass rate of 82.9% for the NSC examinations amid a high dropout rate for pupils starting at Grade 9. Bachelor’s passes, or the amount of matriculants who qualify to study a university degree, continues to lag drastically behind those who did not achieve a bachelor’s pass highlighting that most matriculants will not be able to study at a university by passing the NSC.
Even though today should be a day of celebration, many young South Africans are unfortunately facing a daunting future with great uncertainty where they face a shocking 58% youth unemployment rate. Post-matric opportunities are scare, nor is there sufficient funding for tertiary education. The Department of Basic Education continues to fail in its fundamental mandate of empowering student with the skills necessary to pursue their dreams.
The inadequacies of South Africa’s schooling system starts from the very foundations of a child’s education journey, with insufficient resources invested in early childhood development. The Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) reveals that the vast majority of South Africans cannot read for meaning in the 4th grade. We consistently rank last in mathematical and science education rankings. Without fundamental system-wide reforms, the South African education system will only continue to condemn our youth to a future of hardship.
ActionSA wants to change the future for young South Africans, and we believe this starts with fixing our education system. Quality education is the key to building a better future, and need to ensure South Africa’s young people can develop the skills necessary to achieve upward social mobility. We also need to ensure that our communities get more involved with our children’s educational journey, as it our collective responsibility to help our children live better lives than we do.
ActionSA’s Education Policy provides a clear pathway towards a better education system. When in government, we will depoliticise the education system, improve teacher training and support, expand investment into early childhood development and reform our curriculum to ensure a focus on reading and numeracy. Rather than continuously lower standards so we can achieve superficial pass rate, we would ensure that each student’s educational journey empowers them to be the best version of themselves.
We can only start to implement these solutions when we remove the ruling party from the government and vote in a government committed to improving the future of South African youth. A better South Africa is possible, but that would require voters to take their future into their own hands and take action to build a better country.
Issued by Herman Mashaba, President, ActionSA, 18 January 2024
