SA's maths teaching 'worst in world'

Maths and science teaching in South Africa has been ranked as the worst in the world by a World Economic Forum global competitiveness report.

Of the 144 countries studied, South Africa was ranked at the bottom of the list.



South Africa also did not feature well in any of the other teaching-related studies that the report featured.

The country placed 140th for the quality of its education system, 133rd for the quality of its primary education, 118th for it primary education enrolment rate, 117th for internet access in schools and 93rd for its tertiary education enrolment rate.

South Africa, though, was ranked at 56 in WEF's global competitive index.

The Democratic Alliance has reacted to the release of the report by saying that it confirmed that the country's education system was in crisis.

"We are not giving our children a fair chance at success in life if we are not providing them with proper educational opportunities," DA education spokesperson Annette Lovemore said in a Sapa report.

"All types of artisan and every category of engineer are now imported; we are simply not producing these skills through our own education system."

The party also called on Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga to act on the findings of a report she had commissioned over the criticisms of the current matric pass mark, which is 30%.

The minister is expected to make an announcement relating to the report soon.
IAFRICA