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Now that all the experts have had their say concerning the 2008 Matric results, it is back to school for all the teachers and learners. What will the experts have to say at the end of 2009 and is that really relevant?
Put your confidence in us...Give us the tools and we will finish the job. - Winston Churchill
Teachers know that the statistics of the results do not really provide a true picture of the quality of education. They do, however, provide various interesting comparisons e.g. between different regions, subjects etc. (If you would like to see a breakdown of the results click here.)
Some union leaders have expressed their disappointment in the drop of the percentage pass rate. Others have ...
expressed their concern about the standard of the Maths examination papers and the exams as a whole. Some have even described the OBE curriculum as a total disaster and called for it to be scrapped. Interestingly, from my observation, most of those who hold such strong views are not teachers. Department of Education officials have defended the results and pointed to the fact that this was the first Matric examination based on the new curriculum.
Whatever your viewpoint on OBE and the success or failure of the 2008 National Senior Certificate examination, most teachers would heave a sigh of relief that at least it was not a total disaster and feel that we can now move on. The past number of years have been very testing with teachers having to navigate unchartered waters.
At the same time few teachers, if any, would hold the view that education in South Africa is in a healthy state. There are various causes put forward by different ‘experts' for this situation. Whatever the causes, the solution really lies with teachers. They are in the front line of education. They are the ones who know best what the problems are and what they need in order to succeed. For teachers to get on with their job, the less interference there is from politicians, the better.
In the words of Winston Churchill during a speech on 9 February 1941, "Put your confidence in us. Give us your faith and your blessing, and under Providence all will be well. We shall not fail or falter; we shall not weaken or tire. Neither the sudden shock of battle nor the long-drawn trials of vigilance and exertion will wear us down. Give us the tools and we will finish the job."
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