Motshekga must explain lack of consultation on 20% maths pass mark

8 December 2016

The DA calls on Minister Motshekga to explain her unilateral decision to reduce the maths pass mark from 40% to 20%.

The national Department of Basic Education has issued a 'special condonation' instructing all schools to promote senior level learners (Grade 7, 8 and 9) who achieve only 20% for Maths in 2016. Up until now, learners have had to achieve a 40% mark for maths in order to proceed to the next grade.

In a statement issued today, the national Department of Basic Education suggests that “concern has been raised during the academic year from within the sector” regarding the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) pass requirements. Yet, a directive has been issued without consultation with the provincial departments and other stakeholders including teachers' unions and school governing body associations.

There may be good reason, in some cases, to exempt certain learners from passing mathematics at the required level. But a sweeping change to the mathematics pass requirements is not the answer because it removes incentives for educators and learners to do well in the subject.

Indeed, the special condonation is completely at odds with the National Development Plan (NDP), which states that “90 percent of learners in grades 3, 6 and 9 must achieve 50 percent or more” in mathematics.

This announcement comes a week after the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) ranked South Africa second-last in maths Grade 8, and can only be interpreted as a signal that maths education is not being taken seriously by the national government.

I have written to Basic Education Minister, Angie Motshekga, to demand an explanation for this directive. In particular, we would like to know:

- Why such a 'special condonation' for mathematics was deemed necessary;

- How many Grade 7, 8 and 9 learners fall between the 20% and 40% mathematics mark;

- Whether any consultation took place before the directive was issued;

- Whether this 'special condonation' is a temporary or permanent alteration to the pass requirements; and

- Why the Minister waited until the very end of the school year to adjust the pass requirements.

It is common cause that far too few learners emerge from school numerate enough to compete in global knowledge economy. Instead of giving learners a free pass, we should be equipping learners to succeed in mathematics.

Issued by Gavin Davis, DA Shadow Minister of Basic Education, 8 December 2016