8 responses to “Bricks for brains”

1. 

   maqhawe

   15 years Ago

   dont know how bricks and brains go can be equated. surely a govt is providing homes for the poor. yes we have a poor education system but that fact makes not sense at all. unless if i missed something in it.

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2. 

   Alicia

   15 years Ago

   Politicians like building houses because they can count them (2.4 million!!!!). Counting the benefits of education is a lot harder and much more intangible. It also takes at least a generation to see the fruits. The politician’s time horizon is until the next election, no further.

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3. 

   Lance

   15 years Ago

   Maqhawe – the fact is not equating bricks and brains. It’s merely highlighting the choices the Government is making. Giving people houses makes poverty a bit more bearable, but gives little hope to leave poverty. Education is a sure way out of poverty.

   As an aside, poor people can build shelter for themselves. Not great ones, sometimes leaky ones, but they can do it. They have no hope of educating themselves (or providing their own health care).

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4. 

   Anne-marie

   15 years Ago

   i am sure we are better educated than the rest of africa. it would be interesting to know the countries we are compared with. if this is a fact the goverment must know it is better teach the people to fish not supply them with fish!

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5. 

   amnon

   15 years Ago

   Anne-Marie – Not only does the SA Government know about this 132nd out of 134 debacle, but they were asked about it in parliament:

   FOR WRITTEN REPLY
   QUESTION 2107
   DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 06/11/09
   (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 27-2009)
   Mr PF Smith (IFP) to ask the Minister of Basic Education:

   1. What her department (a) has done, (b) is doing and (c) will be doing to improve South Africa’s ranking in the forseeable future with reference to the World Economic Forum’s Global Information Technology Report of 2008-2009, ranking South Africa at 110 AND 132 respectively for the quality of its education system, mathematics and science education compared to Tunisia’s ranking of 17 and 7 in global terms? NW2757E

   REPLY: 1. The Department of Basic Education is committed to ensuring quality education for all children in schools. The National Curriculum Statement implemented in Grade R – 12 which has been internationally benchmarked to ensure that it is responsive and provides learners with the 21st century skills. With effect from 2010 the Department of Basic Education will strengthen the implementation of the NCS in schools by alleviating the administration burden on teachers and providing sufficient time on teaching and learning. In particular, the Department will continue to strengthen the support for the teaching of Literacy and Numeracy in the early Grades in schools through the expansion of the Foundations for Learning in all schools up to Grade 6. There will be an annual national assessment conducted for learners in Grades 1-6 and 9 in all schools to assess progress in numeracy and literacy which are foundational skills for learning. The Department will further consolidate the Dinaledi Schools Project to ensure that the teaching of and performance in mathematics and science are improved. The performance of the Dinaledi schools in 2008 NSC examinations has demonstrated the value of dedicated teacher training in subject contact knowledge, and the availability of textbooks and other LTSM in the promotion of mathematics and science. The Department will sustain this support in schools.

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   1. 

      Anne-marie

      15 years Ago

      This is very informative. Thank you for your trouble of uploading the information. I still can’t believe that we are below all of our neighbouring countries. Education is so important for our economy. Must be because a learner only needs 33% to pass, the teaching staff combined with the education system and because the small children is not taught maths at a young age, but the last mentioned is the same in all of Africa. Thanks again for the list.

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6. 

   amnon

   15 years Ago

   Anne-Marie – here is the full list. Just about every country you can think of is there.

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7. 

   Viccy

   15 years Ago

   I really enjoy Fact a Day but I think you should stick to ONE fact. By linking unrelated facts you are making a political statement and/or a value judgement. The value of Fact-A-Day, to me, is that we are given the information without bias and can make of it what we want.

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