Despite an increased focus on maths and science, the 2009 matric pass rates have dropped - and Dinaledi schools are not expected to fare any better, says the Department of Basic Education.
While detailed results on the performance of the Dinaledi schools are only expected in February, the Department of Basic Education has indicated that declining pass rates have affected all schools - including those which were allocated additional resources.
The national matric pass rate stands at 60.7%, a 2% decrease from the 62.5% pass rate achieved in 2008. Overall, pass rates in science, maths, mathematical literacy and accounting dropped.
In 2008, the Dinaledi schools accounted for over 50 000 of matriculants writing maths and science exams. According to its 2008 performance report, 54 of the Dinaledi schools had fewer than 20 maths passes and science passes fell below 2008 targets.
The Dinaledi schools were required to achieve at least 20%, or 10 000 of the national target of 50 000 learners passing high-level maths and science.
Slow action
While 54 of the 500 schools within the Dinaledi project underperformed in 2008, the Department of Education declined to make any decisions on the fate of these schools.
Despite previously threatening to remove underperforming schools from the programme, the department said it would focus on improving resources, and no schools would be added - or culled - from the list of 500 Dinaledi schools.
With the introduction of the National Senior Certificate rating policy, a pass in maths and science of 50% and above constitutes a “higher grade” pass. But, despite these policy changes, which lower the pass threshold, the schools still failed to show.
Basic education minister Angie Motshekga says that, while schools focused on maths and science pass rates, more needed to be done.
No progress
Motshekga added that despite limited access to technology, the schools would increase their numbers of maths and science graduates.
The department says it would continue to support the national maths, science and technology strategy through the Dinaledi schools and the recapitalisation of technology schools across the country.
The minister, however, remained mum on the lack of Internet access at Dinaledi schools across the country. The schools are supposed to be connected through a national broadband network that signal distributor Sentech was supposed to have built.
In September last year, it was revealed that none of the R500 million earmarked by National Treasury had been spent on building connectivity for government's flagship maths and science schools, even though this project has been in the pipeline for more than two years.
Share
