ITS THAT TIME AGAIN - BRING OUT THE ROSE-COLOURED GLASSES

Rose-coloured glasses are in fashion once again and predictably on the faces of our Basic Education Minister Angie Motshegka and her minions.  The theme for the 2016 matric results is joyous celebration for an increase over the success rate of 2015, notwithstanding an increase of a measly two percentage points.  But, nevertheless cause for misguided back-slapping, and of course drinks all round at the expense of the taxpayer. 

What the bureaucrats conveniently  ignore is the plain and simple truth that passing matric in South Africa is a cake walk, essentially meaningless  in the real world.   Consider the fact that standards are deplorably low with marks graded on an upward curve.  The upgrading benefits both the weakest and the brightest learners.  For the weakest, a matric pass unaccompanied by the pain of learning.  For the brightest, multiple distinctions.  But for the rigging of the system those with distinctions would be relegated to average achievement.  

If those in Basic Education were serious in the pursuit of educational excellence their focus should be on learner performance at university.   The drop-out rate is staggering because of a lack of cognitive and analytical skills.  The tools of outdated rote learning techniques inculcated in school learners is useless in critical and logical thinking required at the university level.  

Surely the matric results, deplorable as they are, should shame overpaid and under-performing bureaucrats to return to the drawing board, and focus on early childhood and elementary school education.  Not likely as they live in a one-dimensional world.