Oakridge College raises concern over Business Studies pass rate
Northglen News met with Oakridge College principal, Darryl Franks, last week who launched his own investigation into the problem saying the marks for the subject in KZN and three other provinces were shockingly low.
PRINCIPAL of Oakridge College, Darryl Franks, has expressed his concern over the matric results for Business Studies which he says is a ‘national problem’.
Northglen News met with Franks last week who launched his own investigation into the problem saying the marks for the subject in KZN and three other provinces were shockingly low.
According to Franks, his top student, who had averaged more than 70 per cent for Business Studies for the year, ended with 44 per cent, the highest mark in the school for the subject.
“This is not just an Oakridge College problem. I’ve contacted other schools within the district and outside the province and the principals I’ve spoken to have all agreed there is a problem with the marking system.
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“The results now have disastrous consequences for the learners who plan to study further at university. I’ve lodged a complaint with the Department of Education and contacted DA Member of the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education, Chantel King (MP),” he said.
Franks, who was also a Business Studies educator, said he had seen a dramatic fall in the marks for the subject, but never something this dramatic.
“I want the department to take immediate action and speed up the investigation into this in order to allow prospective learners to apply to tertiary institutions,” he said.
One learner, who did not want to be named, said her life was now on hold due to her Business Studies mark.
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“I had planned on doing a Bachelor of Science degree and had been accepted by Universities of Pretoria, Cape Town, Johannesburg and Witwatersrand but because of my mark in Business Studies, I was rejected.
“I’m extremely upset as I’d scored above 60 per cent in all my subjects and was under 40 per cent for Business Studies. My whole life has been put on hold. I was confident my marks would get me into university but now I don’t know what’s going to happen,” she said.
The learner, said she had submitted her paper for a remark, the results of which are only due at the end of March.
“The academic year starts in February so essentially I will miss out on registering. I want this rectified. I know other members of my class in a similar position,” she said.
The Department of Education had not responded to questions regarding the marking system at the time of going to print.
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