As Parliament prepares to vote on the motion to end the country’s 30% pass mark, Build One South Africa (BOSA) is ramping up its call to eliminate the pass mark.
The voting will take place on 2 December 2025.
The party tabled the proposal earlier this year, arguing that the current standard masks systemic weaknesses in the education system and limits young people’s prospects.
BOSA SAYS THE 30% PASS MARK THRESHOLD SETS LEARNERS UP FOR FAILURE
BOSA leader Mmusi Maimane said the 30% pass mark requirement lowers expectations across the system and undermines educational progress.
In a video message posted on X and Facebook, he said, “no one can be proficient in a subject… by only obtaining over 30%.”
Furthermore, Maimane argued that the low bar misleads the country into believing the sector is performing better than it is.
He said research supports raising academic standards, because “when you set the bar high, you begin to reform the entire system.”
He added that real change requires fixing Early Childhood Development centres, adjusting the curriculum, strengthening infrastructure and supporting teachers.
Yet, according to him, some parties remain committed to defending the status quo.
PARLIAMENT TO DECIDE ON 30% PASS MARK MOTION
Members of Parliament debated on the matter in a mini-plenary on 28 November 2025.
Several parties indicated openness to raising the pass mark gradually from 30% to 50%.
However, others argued against immediate changes, citing ongoing challenges in the broader education system.
Maimane said tomorrow’s (2 November 2025) vote will reveal “what future you want for the children of this country,” urging South Africans to challenge their MPs to support the motion.
He noted that countries that South Africa competes with expect far higher performance levels from learners.
NEW ECD INVESTMENT HIGHLIGHTS EDUCATION GAPS
The voting on the motion comes a day after the Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, launched the Education Outcomes Fund.
The fund is a R496 million investment aimed at improving access to early learning programmes.
The initiative will support over 115 000 young children and help 2 000 ECD centres improve teaching environments over a three-year period.
While BOSA acknowledges the importance of strengthening Early Childhood Development, the party argues that meaningful progress requires higher academic expectations throughout the system.
For Maimane, raising the pass mark from 30% is central to preparing young people to “compete with anyone in the world.”
