Opinion | Radical education reform

Since South Africa ushered in a new democratic dispensation, the last 30 years or so has seen the education system undergo continuous transformation and reformation. The objectives of the paradigm shifts revolved around the quest to replace the unjust and unequal apartheid education system with better quality education through policies aligned to “education for all”. However, the adage “the more things change, the more they stay the same” springs to mind.

The question often asked is: Have the education system and the conditions under which our pupils learn, really improved? Many education stakeholders will argue that the sector has made remarkable progress, citing the year-on-year improvements in the matric pass rates. In 2025, the pass rate was the highest ever at 88%.

This is impressive when taken in isolation, but when all factors are considered, it is just an illusion. What is not brought to light is that approximately 50% of pupils drop out of school between Grade 1 and Grade 12. Furthermore, critics argue that the 30% pass mark for some subjects perpetuates low expectations, allowing pupils to pass without acquiring essential skills.

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These factors contribute to a decidedly skewed perception of the real pass rate. Our poor education outcomes are also reflected in the recent “Trends in Mathematics and Science” study, where South Africa’s Grade 9 pupils placed last out of 39 participating countries. It must be noted that the tests were designed for Grade 8 pupils.

Similarly, in the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (Pirls), South Africa had the lowest average reading literacy score out of 50 participating countries. An honest analysis of the so-called “progress” reveals that the majority of South African pupils are still not learning to read, write, add, subtract, divide or multiply, let alone think critically or transfer knowledge. The present education system is akin to a factory that simply churns out matric certificates year after year. Forget about the “excellent” matric results, our schools are still broken and unequal.

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