The education gap – Practical solutions to key barriers

By Thashlin Govender. In spite of substantial government economic support for education reform, glaring gaps left by 40 years of apartheid education still riddle South Africa’s education system at every level. Primary and secondary schools that historically served black students typically perform poorly: Grade 12 pass rates for black students are often half of that of white students. Statistics about overall qualification for university likewise remain grim: 2012 National Senior Certificate (‘matric’) results indicated an overall 73.9% pass rate – but only 26.6% of those tested qualified for bachelor degree studies. Results show a significant disparity that leaves poorer, more rural provinces at a disadvantage, according to the 2012 National Diagnostic Report on Learner Performance. Read more...