CAPE TOWN, June 2 (Xinhua) -- South Africa's maths and science education quality is the worst in the world, according to the 2014 World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Information Technology Report made available here on Monday.
Furthermore, the overall perceived quality of South Africa's education system has also plummeted from 140 to 146 of 148 countries surveyed, said the report.
Meanwhile, internet access in South African schools has slipped down by five slots to 116 of 148, the report said.
Last year, a ministerial task team was established to investigate the progress of teaching programs in maths, science and technology across South Africa. The team released a damning report that exposed gaping holes at every level of South Africa's education system.
"The WEF ranking does not reflect the ability of South Africa's learners, but an education system that needs urgent intervention," the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) said in response to the report.
DA Shadow Minister of Basic Education Annette Lovemore lambasted Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga for not doing enough to address the maths, science and technology crisis.
Quality education is a crucial necessity for creating more globally competitive young adults, much-needed jobs and entrepreneurs, said Lovemore.
"Minister Motshekga's inaction has not only jeopardized our education system, but the very future our country and its children, " Lovemore noted.
"The time for complacency is over, the Minister must now act," the shadow minister added.
