Less than half of the 2009 matriculants passed mathematics and science last year, causing concerns that SA will continue to lack ICT professionals for the next five years.
A dismal 45.9% of learners who wrote mathematics got more than 40%, and only 36.8% of learners passed physical science with more than 40%.
Minister of basic education Angie Motshekga said this week “the performances of learners in the gateway subjects of maths, physical science and accounting, however, remain cause for concern”.
Andile Tlhoa'ele, CEO of Inforcomm and a member of the ICT charter steering committee, says the low pass rate is worrying.
He says the number of students who passed mathematics and science sufficiently well to get into university is too low to result in enough ICT professionals joining the industry in the next five years.
“If you look at core IT professionals, universities won't be able to take students in to do computer science, electronics and engineering degrees.”
The knock-on effect will mean SA will have to continue importing skills from countries such as India, which will add to the cost of doing business. “It's got an economic consequence - landed skills become expensive.”
Tlhoa'ele says this issue needs to be addressed at primary school level, and students must become familiar with both subjects at an early age. He also expressed concern at the low number of students who chose to take mathematics and science to matric.
Black IT Forum deputy president MorwesiRamonyai says the forum is concerned about the drop in the pass rate, especially in maths and science, as it adds to SA's skills shortage. The organisation has called on the private sector to aid in improving the results.
However, more students will be able to go to university next year. Education director-general Duncan Hindle is quoted by The Times as saying 19.8% of the 551 940 matriculants achieved university exemption, compared to 18% last year.
Trade union Solidarity says about 85 000 matriculants who passed the 2009 matric exam will be unemployed in 2010.
Share