Crucial changes are planned for the 2001 matric exams
BOTH long-standing education issues and more recent natural and man-made disasters occupied the attention of top education authorities at this month’s Council of Education Ministers.
The meeting was attended by Minister of Education Kader Asmal, all nine provincial MECs for education, and other senior education officials.
Significant changes to the national matric exams were also made during the meeting. Five key subjects have been identified which will be set by the national department, instead of the provinces, for the 2001 exams. The subjects are accounting, biology, mathematics, physical science and second-language English. The move is intended to even out standards throughout the country.
Provinces will continue to produce, secure and mark the exam papers.
Reacting to the recent tragedy in Chatsworth, Durban, Asmal has called for authorities to ”prosecute zealously and speedily” those responsible for letting off a hand grenade in a disco that was packed with students celebrating the end of term. The consequent stampede resulted in the deaths of 13 learners, some as young as 11, and over 150 were injured. Asmal also spoke out strongly against liquor laws being flouted and exposing the most ”vulnerable of our citizens” to such dangers.
The impact of recent flooding on schooling was also assessed. Those schools where education has been badly effected, mainly in Mpumalanga and the Northern Province, will make up for time lost by remaining open through the Easter and June holidays.
Other announcements included the implementation of a five-year programme of action to promote mathematics, science and technology.
Workshops around crucial issues like farm schools and school governing bodies have been scheduled for the near future.
— The Teacher/Mail & Guardian, April 4, 2000.