My group met with the circuit manager. This position supervises principals from the district level. During our discussion, the circuit manager mentioned how South Africa focuses on grade 12 test results, but those tests can give you a false sense of accomplishment. For example, she had a school that was at 100 percent passing on the grade 12 assessment. Everyone thought that was great until they realized only 3 students took it. Furthermore, many factors should be taken into account when schools are being compared to each other.
We visited Lungisa High School which has grades 8 - 12. There are a total of 958 students and 23 teachers. Teachers do not have planning periods during the school day. Students in grades 8-9 have 6 classes for 55 minutes per day and grades 10-12 have 7 classes. Last school year, 59% of twelfth graders pass the assessment. The principal said that they are aiming for 70% this school year. Emafini Primary School is one of the feeder schools for this high school.
Lungisa High School
WOW! 41 students per teacher. How are the students selected to attend school? What is the certification process for the teacher. How different is the curriculum from the US curriculum?
ReplyDelete