ADMISSION TO HEIS IN TERMS OF NSC

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ADMISSION TO HEIS IN TERMS OF NSC

• Maritz Snyders
• NMMU
• on behalf of
• HESA

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HE ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS (14 HEIs)

• Minimum Statutory requirements
• Higher Certificate Pass NSC. (more about this
  later)
• Diploma Pass NSC plus an achievement rating of 3
  (40-49) or better in 4 recognized NSC 20-credit
  subjects.
• Bachelors Degree Pass NSC plus an achievement
  rating of 4 (50-59) or better in four 20-credit
  subjects chosen from the designated list of
  subjects.
• Academic Performance Scores (APS)
• 8 point scale (1 on NSC 1, etc, but 7 on NSC
  split into 7/8 by some)
• Some include LO, others not
• NSC 1, 2 treated diff (0/1 for NSC 1 one HEI
  give 0 for NCS 2)
• Weighting of subjects
• Language requirements (not discussed in detail
  here)
• Placement tests institutional and NBTP (more
  later today)
• Subject Specific requirements. Summary of Maths
  ML requirements for admission to selected
  programmes in following table per HEI/campus

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MATHS/ML PRE-REQUISITES
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MATHS/ML PRE-REQUISITES (2)
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Mathematics versus Mathematical Literacy

• Maths remains the requirement for numerate
  degrees, diplomas NHCs (in science, health
  sciences, engineering, built environment and
  agriculture), with very few HEIs accepting ML.
• Some variation re. req. for studies in business,
  economic and management sciences
• Some HEIs largely req. Maths.
• Some HEIs req. Maths or Maths Literacy, generally
  with a higher ML rating. One of these HEIs
  indicates that ML learners may be placed in
  extended progs.
• Math req for Humanities varies from none to one
  HEI considering taking only learners who have
  passed Maths
• Some HEIs spell out alternative routes for ML
  learners to be accommodated (extended/foundation
  progs.)
• Two HEIs encourage applicants to present with
  optional topics although applicants wont be
  excluded on these grounds.

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MATHEMATICAL LITERACY

• HE is excited about the introduction of ML, as it
  has the potential to ensure that all
  school-leavers are numerically literate
• All HEIs however not equally convinced of the
  value of ML (variety)
• Accept for BSc with ML, rating 6
• Accept for BCom with ML, rating 4
• Only accept for ext BCom with ML, rating 6
• Not accept at all for BSc, BCom with only ML
• Considering accepting only Math for BA
• Concern about what will happen with learners
  previously entering HE Science and Commerce
  programmes with SG Maths (Comprehensives and
  UOTs) looking forward to DOE session later
  today
• Concern that ML can be neglected in view of new
  NSC pass requirements (discussed in detail later)

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NSC PASS CRITERIA

• In the 2005 NSC policy, the promotion
  requirements (to obtain an NSC) were
• Obtained at least 40 in the required official
  language at Home Language level.
• Obtained at least 30 in the other required
  language on at least First Additional Language
  level.
• Obtained at least 30 in Mathematical Literacy or
  Mathematics.
• Obtained at least 40 in Life Orientation.
• Obtained at least 40 in one of the remaining
  three subjects and at least 30 in two subjects.
• A condonation of a maximum of one subject per
  grade with a rating of Not Achieved will be
  allowed for either a Group A or a Group B
  subject, and such a subject will be deemed to
  have been obtained with a rating of 30 provided
  that a condonation is only applied once.

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NSC PASS CRITERIA (2)

• In the 2007 amendments to the NSC policy, the
  promotion requirements (to obtain an NSC) are
  now
• Achieved at least 40 in three subjects, one of
  which is an official language at Home Language
  level, and 30 in three subjects, provided that a
  complete portfolio of evidence in the
  school-based assessment component is submitted in
  the subject failed
• Can pass NSC, even when failing Maths or ML

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MATHS/ML IN NSC PASS CRITERIA

• Major concern that new pass criteria may defeat
  the purpose of making Math or ML compulsory
• Potential pos impact fewer take ML out of fear
  to fail maths
• Potential neg impact learners teachers can
  simply neglect ML as they can get NSC even if
  this subject if failed totally.
• Can impact on HEIs decisions regarding rating
  allocated to NSC 1 on APS, and on cases where no
  ML requirements is given currently, eg BA
  (assumption of an ML pass/condoned pass if have a
  NSC)
• Reason for this change not clear HESA/DOE
  discussions at meeting scheduled for 22 August

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MATHS/ML IN NSC PASS CRITERIA (2)

• Not official concern expressed by HESA, but
  personal concern as Mathematician Math educator
  that the change is motivated by fear of huge
  failures because the FET sector is not ready for
  the offering of NSC Maths ML
• This follows previous changes when the National
  Curriculum Statements (NCS) for Maths and ML was
  reduced to a core and certain topics in the
  original NCS were either left out or made
  optional
• Question Is this an indication that the NSC was
  introduced too early before the system was ready
  for it? Hope this is wrong and that DOE can give
  assurances.

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CONCLUSION

• While HEIS are committed to work with the DOE
  to make a success of the NSC, the are currently
• nervous/anxious/concerned/worried ????
• because we are heading blind into 2009
• - Do not really know what to expect and plan
  for in terms of admission of students
• This is why
• Any information from DOE that can help HEIs with
  planning, and
• Projects such as the National Benchmark Tests
  Project (NBTP)
• is of crucial importance to HEIs

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• THANK YOU!!