The new further education and training curriculum (FETC) has raised the bar on education in South Africa, both in terms of content and intended outcomes. It has been benchmarked against the best in the world and, in time, will prepare students well for tertiary studies.
This is the first year FETC examinations will be written in grade 11, with matric following in 2008. Government has acknowledged the need to take a phased approach and certain aspects of the curriculum will not be covered in the first round of examinations. Indeed, the FETC is a work in progress and will only be examined fully in 2014. This begs the question: to what extent is the new FETC able to meet our immediate needs in preparing children for tertiary education?
The consensus among secondary institutions is that this new curriculum is more demanding and as such, should place students in a stronger position, academically, to meet first-year university demands. However, there is a concern that, even with the present curriculum, only 16% of students are achieving a matric exemption. If the demands of the new syllabus are greater, will this not this produce even fewer university entrants?
It should also be borne in mind that, as universities start to publish their minimum requirements, certain subjects will no longer be adequate for specific degree programmes. The immediate concern is for students currently in grade 10, who have already made subject choices which may prevent their acceptance into university. For instance, many people were under the impression that a good mark in mathematics literacy would have granted them acceptance into, say, a foundation course in commerce. According to the latest requirements, this is not the case; they have to pass mathematics.
This highlights the responsibility parents have in ensuring their children are adequately equipped for tertiary education. It begins with guiding them in making the right subject choices and not allowing them to be pigeon-holed because of timetable constraints.
Regardless of whether they’re ready to make a final subject choice, students are locked into the choices they make at the end of grade nine. This could colour their approach to schooling and change their whole demeanour, enthusiasm and self-confidence. If a child is unhappy, when every day is a fight, it is worthwhile looking at other alternatives. It does not mean they’re a ‘bad” student; it just means their needs are different. Simply changing one or two subjects can change a child’s life.
Because traditional schools lack the flexibility to allow students to change subjects after grade 10, parents may want to consider a school that allows for change later on.
There is a risk that the new curriculum could entrench rather than eradicate the differences between various sectors of the population. Obviously, this was not the intention, but the reality is that schools which can afford smaller classes and attract top mathematics and science teachers will be in a stronger position to prepare students for university entrance, which evidently cuts out a large percentage of the population.
The solution? To improve standards of teaching in public schools. The only way we’re going to do that is by raising the profile of teachers, improving teacher training and making the profession more attractive. But this is a long-term solution; to make a difference in the short term, we need to alter our thinking. At the moment, corporate South Africa spends millions each year funding education initiatives via their social responsibility programmes. However, figures for higher-grade mathematics and science passes continue to decline, particularly at the level that would allow them acceptance into university. Their intentions may be noble, but the harsh reality is that big corporations need to consider interventions that will give them — and students — a better return on their investment.
Malcolm Law is MD of Abbotts College. Established in 1971, Abbotts College is aimed at grade 10, 11 and 12 students. It has three campuses in the Western Cape and two in Gauteng. In addition to providing instruction in standard school subjects, Abbotts offers specialist programmes in mathematics and science, art and design, hospitality and tourism, and business to students who have identified specific career goals