The Democratic Alliance called for a full skills audit² of all maths, science and technology teachers.

 

The World Economic Forum³ (WEF) report on information technology assessed the economies of 148 countries. 

 

But the government has rejected it, saying the findings were based on perceptions and not hard data.

 

The World Economic Forum's The Global Information Technology Report assesses how ready countries are to exploit the opportunities offered by information and communications technology and how they can use it to improve conditions.

 

For the overall quality of education, South Africa came 146th in the WEF ranking.

 

While not all countries were surveyed, South Africa was ranked below Kenya, Nigeria and Zimbabwe.

 

 

Annette Lovemore, shadow minister for basic education, said her government counterpart, Angie Motshekga, should answer questions in parliament about the "worsening" state of education.

 

"It is deeply disturbing. Not only are we failing hundreds of thousands of learners in our schools but we are certainly failing our economy that needs the skills that maths and science produce," South Africa's Eyewitness⁴ News quotes Ms Lovemore as saying.

 

Ms Motshekga's Department of Basic Education dismissed the report as "based on interviews conducted with business sector⁵ executives".

 

"The WEF report does not base its research on any actual tests or assessments⁶ done by learners, they do not in any way interact with learners in the system or any credible⁷ education institutions to get their data," the statement said.

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