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SA fails to make the grade

Nicola Mawson
By Nicola Mawson, Contributor.
Johannesburg, 07 Jan 2015
SA does not have the potential to compete in innovation because the ICT skills pool continues to shrink.
SA does not have the potential to compete in innovation because the ICT skills pool continues to shrink.

SA is doomed to never compete effectively on the international ICT stage, because the quality of mathematics and science passes is so low the potential ICT skills pool will continue to dwindle.

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has finally released its technical report, which shows more than just the top-line numbers released by minister Angie Motshekga on Monday evening. Overall, the class of 2014 fared worst in several years, as the pass mark decreased 2.4 percentage points, to 75.8%, from 2013's 78.2%.

This drop has been attributed - in part - to the number of learners who passed mathematics and science. Of the 225 458 students who wrote maths, only 53.5% passed - a drop from the 59.1% seen in 2013.

There were 167 997 students who wrote physical science, but only 61.5% passed with 30% or more, a decline on the class of 2013's 67.4% pass rate. Both these subjects are seen as core for a career in ICT.

Frightening pass rates

Yet, as disappointing as these numbers are to commentators, the department's technical report paints an even bleaker picture. Of those students who wrote physical science, only 36.9% passed with more than 40% - seen as a higher quality pass. This is the lowest rate in three years and down on the 42.7% rate seen in 2013's numbers.

A similar picture is evident for mathematics: of those who wrote, only 35.1% achieved more than 40%, again the lowest rate in three years and down on the 40.5% reported for the class of 2013.

These marks mean SA's chronically short-skilled ICT sector will not benefit from an injection of new talent, says ICT veteran Adrian Schofield. Calling the higher level pass rate "horrifying", Schofield says the home-grown skills pool will continue to shrink and SA will continue to be dependent on imported talent.

The 2014 JCSE ICT Skills Survey found the number of employees in the electronics, IT and telecoms sectors has continued to dwindle, from almost 170 000 in 2012 to 133 000 last year. Schofield says this lack of current and future skills means SA will never be an ICT powerhouse of any description. He notes SA will not shine on the world stage and will continue to be in the bottom third of competitors.

Cannot compete

Schofield's comments are echoed by Graeme Bloch, visiting adjunct professor at the University of Witwatersrand Public and Development Management School, who says it is "bad news" that mathematics and physical science students are doing so badly. He notes SA already does not compete on the ICT stage as a developing country as it should.

Bloch notes ICT development is vital for a country's development and says the shrinking skills pool will affect SA's future growth potential and its international ranking. Similarly, says Cape Silicon chairperson Alexandra Fraser, SA must wake up and realise that if the country is to succeed globally, it needs more high-level skills. "We cannot even begin to compete."

Fraser says the country cannot build a world-class industry if it has not developed basic skills that allow students to conceptualise the key elements needed just to get into university. "These core subjects are the gateway to unlocking potential."

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