Recent predictions on Grade 12 mathematics a great concern - DA

Recent predictions in the media that the results of this year's Mathematics paper for Grade 12 learners is heading for disaster is cause for great concern. Viewpoints and comments of the Association for Mathematics Education of South Africa (Amesa), as well as various Mathematics teachers, lecturers and moderators indicate that the quality of the Mathematics Paper 1 (Algebra) is questionable. In addition to criticism regarding the level of difficulty, it is also alleged that the paper was not drafted in accordance with the prescribed guidelines. Furthermore it is predicted that thousands of matriculants will fail Mathematics unless their marks are adjusted drastically.

Professor John Volmink, chairman of Umalusi, the body responsible for the monitoring, standardisation and quality assurance of the National Senior Certificate Examination, prematurely stated on national television yesterday that the council was satisfied with the standard of the paper. This statement cannot be made and is unjustifiable before the marks have been analysed in accordance with all the relevant factors which might have a bearing on the results. The question regarding whether the level of difficulty was reasonable or not, and whether the marks should be adjusted, can only be answered after this process, which will commence on 28 December, had been completed.

Should it be found that the paper was too difficult and that an upward adjustment of marks is inevitable, such a state of affairs will be disgraceful and amounts to an injustice towards learners in their final school year. On the one hand such adjustments will verify that the drafting of the paper, as well as the internal and external moderation process were not satisfactory and in accordance with the prescribed standards. On the other hand learners will have a misconception of their abilities. Furthermore it will furnish justification for the various appeals made in the past that the whole process should be more transparent, and that examiners and moderators ought to be held responsible for improper work which has a negative effect on thousands of matriculants.

I will, during the first portfolio committee meeting in January 2010, request that the management of Umalusi be summoned to appear before the committee for a report and questioning on the matter.

Statement issued by Junita Kloppers-Lourens, MP, Democratic Alliance shadow minister of basic education, December 22 2009

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responses to this article

What do you expect Did you really expect anything better. It is a known fact by international communities that the standard of education has gone backwards in the last 16years. I WONDER WHY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! by Mineemee on December 22 2009, 11:54 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

This is a pitty What does the DA then propose we do to rectify this ussue? by Wisdom on December 22 2009, 11:59 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Logic in criticism Experienced mathematics teachers reported that the Algebra paper was in fact not that difficult. The only issue was that some of the questions were asked in an indirect manner, a fact which suitable candidates should have grasped. What concerns . .more me more is the logic employed in the criticism by Ms Kloppers-Lourens. Does she seriously suggest that the question whether the paper was in order or not depends on the candidates' marks? Surely this is an issue that must be judged objectively with reference to the curriculum and examination standards? If, objectively speaking, the paper was too difficult, it will not offend or mislead anybody if the marks are adjusted. However, if the paper was in order, surely the poor marks should be attributed to the fact that the standard of education is not up to scratch or, equally important, to that fact that too many candidates, regrettably, do not have the natural ability to succeed in this difficult subject. What we need in opposition politics is honesty and logical reasoning, not clutching of straws for cheap political gain. . .less by Concerned Citizen on December 26 2009, 23:50 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

AA, BEE obstacles are the real concern Nothing to be worried about with regard to the IEB Matric results published today except that most of these youngsters will find themselves discriminated against in the workplace next year, thanks to the ANC's destructive ideals and policies. by Reitz on December 30 2009, 14:07 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

F*** you,16 years? Why are you saying for th by malose on January 04 2010, 16:19 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

maths where are the examiners' reports on maths grade 12 end of year examination? by lebea on February 06 2010, 07:04 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

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