IFP: Calls For An Investigation Into The Causes Of Poor Performance By Students In Business Studies

The Inkatha Freedom Party in KwaZulu-Natal calls for a thorough investigation into the root causes of poor performance of learners in Business Studies in the province.

“Dr Barney Mthembu, one of the senior managers in the KZN Department of Education has admitted that there is poor performance among learners in the subject of Business Studies in all provincial districts. Therefore, this calls for urgent intervention. This further indicates that the KZN MEC of Education, Mthandeni Dlungwane has failed to address this challenge. As a political head of the Department he must be held accountable for this poor performance which has affected most of our learners due to his inept of failing to come up with strategies to improve performance in this subject,” said IFP KZN Provincial Spokesperson, Mrs Thembeni Madlopha-Mthethwa MPL.

“There are many factors that can affect the performance of students in Business Studies. This investigation should seek to find solutions to the following;

(a) Does student’s poor background of business knowledge hinder good performance?

(b) Is there any relationship between student’s unwillingness to learn and poor performance?

(c) Is there a significant relationship between the availability of adequately equipped education resources and performance in business studies?

(d) Do bad teaching methods affect the teaching and learning process in business studies?

(e) Does the student’s home environment hinder their performance in business studies as a subject?,” continued Mrs Madlopha-Mthethwa.

“Although we demand the investigation into this matter but we nevertheless challenge the KZN MEC of Education to present us with a detailed plan on how he intends to improve the performance of learners in Business Studies since the Department is aware of this problem.

He must further elaborate on how he intends to improve the pass rate of isiZulu as a subject since learners are still struggling to obtain a 100 percent pass mark. If the MEC is serious about improving the matric pass rate in this province he must be prepared to work hard and walk the talk. Best results are needed at the end of the year. This year we expect an improvement in the matric results since we performed badly in previous years. The MEC must come up with new detailed plans and strategies of doing things differently than the previous year. We cannot complain about poor performance every year when no action is undertaken to address the shortcomings,” concluded Mrs Madlopha-Mthethwa.

Issued by:
Mrs Thembeni KaMadlopha-Mthethwa MPL
IFP KZN Spokesperson on Education
071 884 3844 / 079 114 3015