Mkhuleko Hlengwa MP
IFP National Spokesperson
The IFP congratulates the Matric Class of 2019 on their historic pass rate. We wish the Class of 2019 well in their future endeavors. At face value the country has every reason to celebrate these results.
On closer inspection we must however confront the harsh reality that on a scale of quantity versus quality it is clear that the qualitatively we still have a long way to go. The inequality on the quintile grading of schools has been reinforced by these results.
Schools that are previously disadvantaged and locked in quintiles 1, 2 and 3 continue to lag behind when it comes to quality passes and only registering increases in the quantity output.
Therefore the 2019 Matric results must be taken with a pinch of salt when the future is taken into account because the biggest question becomes “what next?” when you have a higher education system that is ill equipped for these results. Universities and Universities of Technology do not have space as characterized by poor planning in this regard.
TVET Colleges which are the hope of the country to develop technical skills are in perpetual disarray.
The Class of 2019 enters the realm of uncertainty because of poor planning and under resourcing of higher education infrastructure, particularly in TVET colleges.
The reality is that South Africa has under qualified lecturers at TVET colleges; and this is where the majority of those who have passed will be expected to go. The certification programme is poorly managed.
The question “what next?” remains of particular importance in the context of the our struggling and sluggishly growing economy. Do these results respond to the needs of the job market or even meet the demands of the much spoken about 4th Industrial Revolution, given the worrying Maths results?
Whilst we celebrate these results as a country we must avoid churning out quantity over quality if we are to meaningfully push back on the frontiers of poverty and inequality.
We call on the Class of 2019 to celebrate responsibly and avoid loss of life as we have seen in recent past. To those who did not make, this is not the end of the road.
For further information, please contact:
–
Contact:
Mkhuleko Hlengwa MP
IFP National Spokesperson
071 111 0539
