Johnson Progress

The South African Parliament has rejected a proposal to increase the minimum pass mark for the National Senior Certificate (NSC) from 30% to 50%.

The motion, tabled by Build One South Africa (BOSA) leader Mmusi Maimane, was defeated by 190 votes to 87, with the African National Congress (ANC) and Democratic Alliance (DA) voting to retain the current framework.

Maimane argued that the 30% pass mark is too low and does not adequately prepare students for the future.

“To defend this policy is to ensure that our young people are qualified for unemployment,” he said.

He added that the current pass mark perpetuates mediocrity and limits opportunities for learners entering a competitive labor market.

However, the Department of Basic Education and some parliamentarians disputed this claim, stating that the 30% pass mark is often misunderstood.

Minister Siviwe Gwarube explained that learners must achieve 40% in their home language, 40% in two other subjects, and 30% in three additional subjects to pass.

“To claim that learners pass matric with 30% is not supported by evidence and is a distortion of how the NSC works,” she said.

Opponents of the motion also warned that raising the pass mark could lead to more students dropping out of school.

ANC MP Tebogo Letsie emphasized that improving the education system requires an honest assessment of performance and addressing resource disparities.

Supporters of the motion, including the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), argued that the 30% threshold is inadequate for a generation competing in a knowledge-based economy. EFF MP Mandla Shikwambana stated that the threshold is “inadequate for a generation competing in a knowledge-based economy.”

The debate highlighted the complexities of South Africa’s education system, with concerns about academic standards, resource constraints, and the impact on students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

While the motion was defeated, the discussion is likely to continue, with proponents arguing that a higher pass mark would better prepare students for the future.