DBE circular putting a band-aid on a patient in ICU
9 December 2016
The circular issued by the Department of Basic Education right at the end of the school year raises a number of concerns.
Firstly, one could perhaps understand the rationale for condoning the Grade 9’s who would pass, if it were not for their maths mark. It is also not uncommon to allow condonations in cases where a higher pass mark has recently been introduced into the system – as has been done with DBE’s recent raising of the maths pass mark from 30% to 40%.
However, if the reason for learners not passing this year is because the DBE raised the bar to pass, why are they being allowed to pass with 20%? They should then have been condoned only if they achieved 30% - the previous threshold for passing.
Secondly, I fail to understand the rationale for condoning a maths failure in Grades 7 and 8, especially at 20%. At least in Grade 9 the learner has the option to take Maths Literacy until matric. In grades 7 and 8, they will be permitted to progress to Grades 8 and 9, where they will still have to take Mathematics as a subject until the end of Grade 9. How can a learner who achieves 20% be expected to pass Maths the following year or two?