SA should set high education standards

Iraq is a country which has not seen much peace in the recent past. Who can forget the Iran-Iraq War also known as, the First Persian Gulf War, which lasted almost eight years between 1980 and 1988. Then came the Second Gulf War, more popularly known as "Operation Desert Storm" which started in January of 1991 when the allied forces, led by the USA, struck the first missile against Iraq. "Operation Desert Storm" was triggered (pun not intended) by Iraq's refusal to stop its attack against its oil-rich neighbour, Kuwait. The war lasted only a few weeks but the damage caused to Iraqi infrastructure and the collateral damaged inflicted on the people of Iraq was immense. 

As if this was not enough, between March 2003 and April 2003 Iraq faced yet another attack from the allied forces (again led by the USA). This short war ended with the capture of the Iraqi dictator, Saddam Hussein. While the war officially ended in April of 2003, the US troops would remain in that country for many more years, with the sole purpose of peace-keeping to prevent a possible civil war. History now shows that despite the presence of the US peacekeeping troops on the ground, a civil war in Iraq could not be avoided and things escalated further following the complete withdrawal of the peace-keeping forces in 2011.

Yet, despite the turmoil and unrest within the Iraqi society, the country never compromised on its education standards. Throughout all the wars and conflicts, the Iraqi government demanded that for any student to achieve a pass in any Grade, including the final 12th Grade, they must attain a minimum score of fifty percent. Meaning any exam score below fifty percent is regarded as failure in Iraq.   

Other countries

In Indonesia, the minimum pass score is 45%, in Afghanistan it is a rather stringent 55%, in Japan it is 60%, in Pakistan it is 40%, in Germany it is 50%, in Ireland it is 40%, in Brazil it is 50% and in Russia it is a jaw-dropping, 76%. 

South Africa

Based on the above, it is quiet clear that there is no international standard and set guidelines on the minimum pass score. South Africa currently considers 40% as the minimum pass score. In my opinion, this is too low, we should be aiming for at least 50% as the minimum pass score. If South Africa wants to compete among a group of nations on the global stage, the country must set high standards and this should begin with the raising of the minimum pass score. The move from the current 40% to my suggested 50% could take place gradually, where the minimum is initially raised from the current 40% to 45% in one year and then kept at that rate for two to three years and then finally raised to 50%. The raising of the bar would have to be coupled with the raising of the bar when it comes to the Educators, the Teachers. There ought to be an intensive training programme for the teachers prior to even the initial rise from 40% to 45%. 

However, whether the minimum pass score is raised or not, more schools must be built and each new school that is built must be such that it has the facilities to ensure good quality education as this relates to the amenities as well as the teaching tools available to both the Teachers and the Learners.

Our Politicians must show political will to create effective government !!!