Quality of SA Education Still Low - SAIRR Study

According to the Institute for Race Relations (SAIRR), access to education may have increased dramatically since 1994 but quality is still below what the country needs.

In its latest survey, SAIRR points out that of the 500 000 learners wrote matric exams in 2007, only 15 percent or half the 1980 pass rate, obtained university entrance standard. It further says the Western Cape achieved a pass rate of 25 percent compared to nine percent for the Eastern Cape.

In addition, the survey found that there are more teachers in the system than before, but the number of public schools fell by 220 to 25000 between 2006 and last year. It also says farm school enrolment fell 60 percent in 1996-2000 to 256 000, and university of technology enrolment fell 19 percent last year in 2007.

To read the article titled, “Education quality still too low, says race relations institute,” click here.