I believe that 2007 might be a bad year for education in South Africa because of the disruptions caused by the recent public sector strike.

I believe that 2007 might be a bad year for education in South Africa because of the disruptions caused by the recent public sector strike.

It is possible that there will be a higher failure rate because most pupils have not completed the syllabus.

But for Cosas to request that examination marks of pupils be inflated by 20percent is totally nuts. We should not compromise our children's education and their future like that.

Instead of making it a pass one, pass all situation, it would be better if pupils are tested on the first part of the syllabus, before the strike. If questions are set from the first half of the year, then the pupils will pass. In the past, there were strikes that lasted almost three months, but pupils managed to pass.

We should not drag South Africa's name in the mud. Imagine the kind of first years most universities will have next year if pupils, including the lazy ones, were simply pushed through matric?

I am a university student and I foresee disaster if we pass one, pass all. We already have too many university dropouts. What Cosas has suggested will not do anyone any good.

In future, strikes should be avoided at all costs because they disrupt the lives of everyone who is affected.

Mboma Marapong, Ellisras