This is the VOA Learning English Education Report.
这里是美国之音慢速英语教育报道。

Every year, South African 12th grade students take a test to decide their next steps following the completion of high school. Many students were unhappy with the results of their 2014 exam. The scores were released January 5. Universities use the scores to make admissions decisions.
每年，南非12年级学生参加一项考试来决定他们完成高中学业后何去何从。许多学生对他们2014年的考试成绩不满意。这些分数于1月5日被公布出来。各个大学将采用这些分数来决定录取。

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga announced that the Class of 2014 pass rate was 75.8 percent. That represents a drop of almost two and one half points from the pass rate in 2013.
基础教育部部长安吉·莫采卡（Angie Motshekga）宣布2014届毕业生的合格率为75.8%。比2013年的合格率降低了将近2.5个百分点。

The meaning of the numbers quickly became a subject of political debate.
这一数字所代表的含义很快成为了政治辩论的主题。

President Jacob Zuma sees the results as a sign of progress. A presidential statement said, "South Africa is especially proud of the Class of 2014 as they represent a special category of learners who sat through their exams as the country celebrated 20 years of freedom and democracy."
南非总统祖马将这一结果视为进步的标志。总统发表的一份声明称，“南非对2014届毕业生感觉特别自豪，他们代表了在全国庆祝自由和民主20周年之际安心完成考试的这一特殊类别的学生。”

However, the opposition disagreed. The Pan Africanist Congress party said it thinks the results show serious problems in South Africa's education system.
然而反对派对此不认同。泛非大会党表示，他们认为这一结果表明南非的教育体系存在严重问题。

The P.A.C. also criticized President Zuma's ruling African National Congress. The Pan Africanists said they do not think enough jobs are available for young adults who have just completed high school.
泛非大会党还批评了祖马总统的执政党非洲人国民大会。泛非主义者表示，他们认为南非未能给高中毕业生提供足够的就业机会。

Nombulelo Nyathela is a spokeswoman for the advocacy group Equal Education. She said the test issue is more complex than the way either political side sees it.
Nombulelo Nyathela是游说团体公平教育的女发言人。她说，考试问题比两党所认为的更为复杂。

Ms. Nyathela said the numbers are only part of the story of education in South Africa. There is also a problem with students who leave school before grade 12.
Nyathela女士表示，这些数字（指合格率）只是南非教育问题的一部分。此外南非还存在学生在12年级前辍学的问题。

It has been 20 years since the end of the apartheid system of white minority rule and enforced racial separation in South Africa. The government is trying to give all its citizens an equal education. The country established a new education program in 2012.
距离南非白人少数派政府统治和实行激进分隔的种族隔离制度的结束已经有20年。南非政府正努力对所有公民施以平等教育。该国于2012年建立了一项新的教育计划。

Students who took the 2014 test were the first to study under the program. It began when they were in grade 10.
参加2014年考试的学生是根据该教育计划学习的第一批学生。该计划开始实施时他们正读10年级。

Angie Motshekga said students who do not pass the exam would have a chance to take it again. She said some students may need extra help after only two years of the new learning program.
莫采卡表示，未通过考试的学生有机会重新考试。她说一些学生在新学习计划下只接受了两年的学习，他们可能需要额外的帮助。

Nombulelo Nyathela said that South Africa should spend more money on improving education. She said she thinks a lack of resources is the root of the systemic problems in basic education.
Nombulelo Nyathela表示，南非应该投入更多资金改善教育。她说她认为缺乏资源是基础教育系统性问题的根源。

I'm Caty Weaver.
我是卡蒂·韦弗（Caty Weaver）。(51VOA.COM对本文翻译保留全部权利，未经授权请勿转载，违者必究！)

This is the VOA Learning English Education Report.

Every year, South African 12th grade students take a test to decide their next steps following the completion of high school. Many students were unhappy with the results of their 2014 exam. The scores were released January 5. Universities use the scores to make admissions decisions.

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga announced that the Class of 2014 pass rate was 75.8 percent. That represents a drop of almost two and one half points from the pass rate in 2013.

The meaning of the numbers quickly became a subject of political debate.

Students use computers to study at Elswood Secondary School in Cape Town, in November, 2013.

President Jacob Zuma sees the results as a sign of progress. A presidential statement said, "South Africa is especially proud of the Class of 2014 as they represent a special category of learners who sat through their exams as the country celebrated 20 years of freedom and democracy."

However, the opposition disagreed. The Pan Africanist Congress party said it thinks the results show serious problems in South Africa's education system.

The P.A.C. also criticized President Zuma's ruling African National Congress. The Pan Africanists said they do not think enough jobs are available for young adults who have just completed high school.

Nombulelo Nyathela is a spokeswoman for the advocacy group Equal Education. She said the test issue is more complex than the way either political side sees it.

Ms. Nyathela said the numbers are only part of the story of education in South Africa. There is also a problem with students who leave school before grade 12.

It has been 20 years since the end of the apartheid system of white minority rule and enforced racial separation in South Africa. The government is trying to give all its citizens an equal education. The country established a new education program in 2012.

Students who took the 2014 test were the first to study under the program. It began when they were in grade 10.

Angie Motshekga said students who do not pass the exam would have a chance to take it again. She said some students may need extra help after only two years of the new learning program.

Nombulelo Nyathela said that South Africa should spend more money on improving education. She said she thinks a lack of resources is the root of the systemic problems in basic education.

I'm Caty Weaver.