Confirmed: No plan to scrap 30% matric pass mark, for now, reveals Basic Education Minister

23 October 2024

In response to a Build One South Africa (BOSA) written parliamentary question (attached here) Basic Education Minister, Siviwe Gwarube, has stated that there are no plans to scrap the current 30% pass mark for subjects at Grade 12 level.

BOSA has long called for an end to the 30% pass mark. A 50% pass mark should be the minimum. Anything less is preparing our youth for a life of unemployment and wasted potential.
In her response, the Minister stated that “Presently, there are no immediate plans to change the 30% pass mark and to replace it with a minimum pass mark of 50%.” However, the Minister indicated her intention “to appoint an advisory council to inform the necessary reforms in the sector.” This is urgent.
in addition to raising the minimum pass mark to 50%, reform must include an independent education ombudsman, raising salaries for educators, curtailing union power, incentivizing students during the academic year, prioritizing the primary phase of education, introducing a school voucher programme, and conducting a nationwide teacher skills audit.
With an annual education budget of over R300 billion, there is little justification for the substandard quality of education. The lack of resources, overcrowded classrooms, unqualified teachers, and inadequate infrastructure are all symptomatic of a system that has failed to live up to its promises over the past 30 years.
Going forward, BOSA will continue to pursue all interventions to fix what is broken and ensure that every South African learner can thrive.

Issued by Roger Solomons, BOSA Acting Spokesperson, 23 October 2024