Matrics

First and foremost, I would like to congratulate each and every single person who managed to pass their matric exams. The months of hard work has paid off and I wish you all the best in your future endevours.

I do however find myself questioning the standard of our education system. Been a lecturer at private tertiary institutions, I am often confronted with students who are accepted into certain programs and dont have the mental application and discipline to cope with the particular course. So who is to blame for this?

I firstly blame the education system. We have all heard of cases where matric marks have been boosted to lift the pass rates. We heard of a story last year where marks were been handed out like lollipops on a street corner. Yes, it might be all well and good in the short run, but serves no purpose further down the line. We are basically making it possible for students to enter into degree and diploma programs that they are not intellectually capable of passing. However there are exceptions to the rule.

I also blame private tertiary institutions. They are only concerned about making profits and will accept just about anyone who has the financial means to pay for their studies. Fair enough, because they are trying to m ake a profit ( they are a business after all). but what upsets me the most is that when pass rates are low at these private institutions, they are quick to blmae lecturers and judge them as being incompetent... SO NOT FAIR AND ALSO UNTRUE (Most times)

I was amazed yesterday when I saw in the paper (matric results) that a person who does Maths Literacy, Tourism, Life Orientation (that messed up subject that carries very little significance) and Drama can obtain what we used to call an exemption pass. How on earth is this possible? Can somebody please explain this education system to me? What we are doing is lowering the standards for our pupils and telling them that mediocrity is fine. We tell them to drop certain subjects like Pure Maths and Physics and Accounting to standard grades or simply drop them altogether. That same pupil who has done these courses may well be excepted into private tertiary institutions and into programs that may require a certain amount of mathematical intellect and understanding.. and then what? You see my point and my frustration!!

We need to challenge and motivate our students from an early age. Lets tell them that 60% is not good enough and encourage them to strive beyond for those 80% and 90%. Young people are so content to settle for mediocrity simply because it is easier and this in the long run will have significant effects on  society.