Teachers question ‘free pass’ ruling
Concern grows about new pass rule in High School
CONCERNS have been expressed about reports of a new ‘passing rule’ in South African schools.
The decision by Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, that senior pupils may from now on only fail once in Grades 10 to 12, has created an outcry by parents and teachers alike.
The decision will mean a pupil who fails a second time in the Grade 10 to 12 phase will be passed automatically and will be promoted to the next grade.
KZN Education Department Spokesperson Muzi Mahlambi explained. ‘As a department we support the minister’s decision since all issues are discussed and analysed by the department as a whole. This regulation has been created out of a vital need. Its intention is to ensure progression of learners by age cohort, meaning we want to avoid learners being in the same class with much younger learners. To maintain a quality, productive environment in the classroom and among the different grades, a uniformity, the pupils’ age needs to be maintained.’
Mahlambi added, ‘A programme will be put in place to facilitate that pupils catch up on work they did not manage to pass the previous year, so no pupil will be left behind or excluded.’
‘I must also make it very clear that there will be rules, regulations and specific guidelines concerning the regulation and not every pupil who fails will be passed automatically.’
However, a number of educators are not seeing the move in the same light. They feel this will create a greater sense of entitlement and will also create a sense of empathy among the pupils.
A senior teacher and head of department, who wants to remain nameless due to victimisation, explained the concerns. ‘A pupil may fail Grade 10 but knows he/she will pass Grade 11, what incentive is there to work hard and pass the next two years? Another problem will be experienced once the pupil has left high school and is applying for work. How will an employer know if the pupil has passed Grades 10-12 on merit or not?
‘On the other hand, the regulation could compromise pupils who have passed on merit, making it unclear who deserves the qualifications and therefore, the job opportunity.’
The department has, however, confirmed the regulation will not apply to Grade 12 pupils and no pupil will receive a certificate without passing the grade.
