Pupil passed at 29%: action against school

The Gauteng education department plans to act against a school in Bramfischerville, Soweto, after a Grade 7 pupil who achieved 29% was promoted to Grade 8.

Education department spokesman Charles Pahlane said the school’s decision was in conflict with education policy. The department’s legal division was considering possible measures against the school, Beeld reported today.

The department’s area manager would also pay a visit to the school to determine how and why they promoted the boy, Pahlane said.

Education experts told Beeld that the practice was especially common in township and rural schools, where classrooms were overcrowded.

According to national guidelines, Grade 7-9 pupils have to take nine subjects and, in order to pass, should achieve 50-59% in their home language, and 40-49% in their second language, in Maths and in three other subjects.

- Sapa