Shattering the glass ceiling : determining the factors contributing to achieving Grade 7 or Grade 12 for citizens in Limpopo

Date
2014-12
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Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: People obtain skills through improved educational levels which allow them to secure more permanent higher-earning jobs, resulting in better living conditions. Irrespective of government policies and programmes to reduce illiteracy and increase the education standard, Limpopo experienced low Grade 12 pass rates of 66.9% and 71.8% in 2012 and 2013 respectively. The latter pass rate remains below the national average of 73.9%. This article investigates the socio-demographic, socio-economic and service-delivery factors contributing to attaining both Grade 7 and Grade 12 in Limpopo. Descriptive statistics from the General Household Survey 2013 data were calculated to observe the profile information of those citizens in Limpopo who only managed to obtain Grade 7 as well as those who managed to obtain Grade 12. Thereafter, two logistic regression models were computed to explore the contributing factors to attaining Grade 7 or Grade 12. The results indicate that females, people residing in urban formal areas, households with flush toilets, and households using electricity for cooking have higher odds of obtaining Grade 7. Females, children and youth, and people residing in households with a vehicle, refrigerator, and access to internet have higher odds of attaining Grade 12. Additionally, a total monthly household income of R6 001 – R30 000 increases the odds of attaining Grade 12. Thus, overall, socio-demographic factors play an important role in completing Grade 7, while socio-economic factors are dominant determinants of attaining Grade 12. Significant policy implications to improve the Grade 7 and Grade 12 pass rates are discussed.
AFRIKAANS OPSOMMING: Mense verwerf vaardighede deur verbeterde opvoedkundige vlakke wat hulle in staat stel om meer permanente, beter betaalde werk te verseker, wat beter lewensomstandighede tot gevolg het. Limpopo het 'n lae Graad 12 slaagsyfer van 66.9% en 71.8% in 2012 en 2013, onderskeidelik, ondervind, ongeag die regering se beleide en programme om ongeletterdheid te verminder en opvoedkundige standaarde te verhoog. Die laasgenoemde slaagsyfer bly onder die nasionale gemiddelde van 73.9%. Hierdie artikel ondersoek die sosio-demografiese, sosio-ekonomiese en diensleweringsfaktore wat bydra tot die verkryging van Graad 7 en Graad 12 in Limpopo. Beskrywende statistieke vanaf die Algemene Huishoudelike Opname 2013 data was bereken om die profielinligting van daardie burgers in Limpopo wat net daarin geslaag het om Graad 7 te kry, sowel as daardie wat daarin geslaag het om Graad 12 te kry, waar te neem. Daarna is twee logistieke regressies bereken om die faktore wat bydra tot die verkryging van Graad 7 of Graad 12 te verken. Die resultate toon dat vrouens, mense wat in stedelike formele areas bly, huishoudings met spoeltoilette, en huishoudings wat elektrisiteit vir kook gebruik, 'n groter kans het om Graad 7 te verkry. Vrouens, kinders en die jeug, en mense wat in huishoudings bly wat 'n voertuig, yskas, en internettoegang het, het 'n groter kans om Graad 12 te verkry. 'n Totale huishoudelike maandelikse inkomste van R6 001 – R30 000 verhoog verder die kanse om Graad 12 te verkry. Dus, oor die algemeen, speel sosio-demografiese faktore 'n belangrike rol in die afhandeling van Graad 7, terwyl sosio-ekonomiese faktore 'n dominante determinant in die verkryging van Graad 12 is. Beduidende beleidsimplikasies om die Graad 7 en Graad 12 slaagsyfers te verbeter word bespreek.
Description
Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2014.
Keywords
Successful people, Seventh grade (Education), Twelve grade (Education), Sociodemographic characteristics, Socio-economic status -- Limpopo (South Africa), Service delivery networks -- Limpopo (South Africa), Service quality -- Limpopo (South Africa), Consumer satisfaction -- Limpopo (South Africa)
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