BOSA's Maimane tables SA's education 'rescue plan'
The 10-point plan includes, among others, increasing the matric pass mark to 50%.
Build One South Africa leader Mmusi Maimane during the first sitting of the National Assembly on 14 June 2024. Picture: Katlego Jiyane/EWN
CAPE TOWN - Build One South Africa (BOSA) leader Mmusi Maimane has released his education "rescue plan" - which he says will save the country's ailing schooling system.
The 10-point plan includes, among others, increasing the matric pass mark to 50%.
It also calls on the Education Department to introduce an independent education ombudsman to tackle corruption and hold those in power accountable.
Maimane released the plan on Thursday, in Parliament, as the class of 2024 prepares for final matric exams due to start on Monday.
He said a 30% pass mark for matric is not sensible, adding that 50% is a good benchmark.
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"There's no sense at which 30% is acceptable. If you want to go do an engineering degree there’s just no way you can get in at 30%," he said.
He's also called for an end to budget cuts in the sector, pledging to work with Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarub to resist the cuts.
"We are here to fight deliberately and consciously to ensure that the education budget going into 2025/26 period does not get cut," said Maimane.
Maimane said the interventions they’ve presented are grounded in accountability and transparency and crucial to rescuing the country’s education system.