The BMW M5 hybrid model (2025) goes from 0-100km/h in 3.5 seconds. Asking that my beloved 1976 VW Beetle achieves the same acceleration in less than a day is the kind of fantasy that keeps comedians in business. That is why the BOSA (Build One South Africa) proposal in parliament this week to abolish the 30% pass mark in high schools is the wrong vehicle for achieving a noble goal.
My friend Mmusi Maimane needs to get off this high horse and saddle another one. Having taught high school physical science in the past 22 months, I can tell you that three-quarters of my grade 10 class would fail if the pass mark was set at 50%. I worked really hard in preparation for every class.
On average, I did seven hours of preparation for a 50-minute lesson; the content is easy but I had to make this digestible for 14- to 15-year-olds and that takes a lot of thinking time. I have a BSc (science) degree with physics, chemistry and mathematics as starting subjects, more than enough to teach at this grade level; I am a life sciences major. The students worked day and night, not sleeping the night before the final chemistry exam last month.
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They were exposed to chemistry practicals in UCT laboratories and physics experiments at Stellenbosch University labs. There was no lack of exposure to the physical sciences whether learning the physics of navigation in a Safmarine simulator in Simonstown or the principle of the cable car in the engine room below Table Mountain.
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