SCHOOLS across the Karoo are worse off today than they were during the apartheid years, says Professor Jonathan Jansen, vice-chancellor of the University of the Free State

The educator was speaking at the Second Karoo Development Conference in Beaufort West.

Jansen, who is apolitical, also called on President Jacob Zuma to admit the education system, not only in the Karoo, but across the country, was in a crisis.

"Any president in a democratic state around the world would have admitted a long time ago our education system is in the midst of serious crisis."

He said that with a growing population, fewer pupils were actually finishing schools.

Jansen said schools were even manipulating their matric figures to ensure better pass rates.

"[Pupils] are being treated like idiots."

Using a power point presentation, Jansen showed how the number of pupils writing matric had dropped significantly since 2008.

He said a majority of pupils, registered to write the exams, never even pitched.

Comparing Karoo schools to larger cities, Jansen said the former was in serious trouble and faced a bleak future.

"Not enough is being done to fix these problems," he said.

Jansen said city schools had access to hundreds of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) which always helped out in a time of crisis.

"The same cannot be said for the Karoo schools," he said.

However, Jansen said a "valiant effort" was being made by NGOs and faith-based organisations.

But more was needed to be done to educate the children of the Karoo as the local organisations lacked resources, he said.

"These organisations in the Karoo need help, they can't do it themselves," he said.

His solution. "Develop after-hour schools. That is what will help the Karoo and its people. Education comes from experience."

He said too many children, mostly males, were lining the streets in the Karoo towns wanting to rip-off tourists and residents.

"Schools in the Karoo are worst off and require urgent attention."

This year, the conference is titled The 2nd Karoo Development Conference: Claiming our Future: People, Space and Place in the Karoo.

Jansen's talk was based on the impact of a strong education system on regional development.

"Everyone had schooling, but education is something else. Education comes from the experience gained at a school or university."

He said sentiment was the overwhelming thought in South Africa, which had been caused by people going to school but not beingeducated.

Jansen also attacked mathematics literature, a subject in high schools, and the declining number of pupils opting to study mathematics.

"Whoever came up with that idea must be shot, and that is coming from a pacifist," he said.

Jansen said the "terrible" education system had left South Africa in serious trouble.

"We need to get people to believe in high-quality education or we are screwed. If we do not get this right, why bother with this conference," he said.

This article was first published in print on 16 October 2012