On the Forum@8 this morning we discuss proposals to raise the controversial thirty percent matric pass requirement and the scrapping of Life orientation as an examinable Grade twelve subject - among other issues. These are among a raft of changes proposed by a committee set up by the Department of Basic Education to investigate the value of the matric certificate and its thirty percent pass mark. On the Forum this morning we ask: Will suggestions to increase the pass mark from 30% improve the quality of education?

GUESTS, Professor Ruksana Osman, Who is a Professor of Education and Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Mr Elijah Mhlanga- Spokesperson at the Department of Basic Education

1. Asian stocks rise as Abe poised to add stimulus and he is expected to call an election
2. Beijing home prices drop for first time in 2 Years on discounts provided by developers and banks
3. Why Chinese students at U.S. universities Jumped 75% in three years

The United Taxi Forum in Gauteng has called on the Gauteng Transport Department to speed up the issuing of operating licenses which will exempt them from paying etolls. Thousands of commuters were left stranded for transport yesterday, when Taxi drivers went on a strike. Taxi operators marched on the department of transport and community safety in Johannesburg, to hand over a memorandum calling for their taxi permits to be reinstated, and that the e-tolls system be scrapped. To explain further Sakina Kamwendo spoke to the Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Ismail Vadi.

The leader of government business in Parliament, Deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa is scheduled to meet leaders of political parties in Parliament today. The meeting is part of Ramaphosa's efforts to strengthen and consolidate parliamentary democratic processes, by promoting sound and healthy working relationship between parliamentary political parties and members of the national executive. For a closer look at these developments, sakina Kamwendo spoke to Dr Richard Pithouse teaches Politics at Rhodes University.

Parliament's Powers and Privileges Committee report recommending sanctions against the 20 EFF MPs who were found guilty of misconduct, will be debated in the National Assembly today. The Committee will seek the final approval of the Assembly, before sanctions can be implemented against the affected members. They are facing various penalties ranging from 30 days suspension from Parliament to one month's salary. Our arliamentary Correspondent Mercedes Besent tells us more

The defence for murder accused Shrien Dewani is expected to bring an application in the Western Cape High Court tomorrow, the 19th of November 2014 to have charges against him dropped. This after the state closed its case. Dewani has pleaded not guilty to five charges including murder and kidnapping. He allegedly arranged the hit on his Swedish wife Anni Dewani in November 2010. SABC's Berenice Moss reports

Chris Gilmour, analyst at Absa wealth and investment management looks at:

1) Japan’s stock market rebounded this morning after falling heavily yesterday. What caused this and what is the outlook for Japan’s economy now that it is officially in recession?
2) Against an extremely poor local consumer economy, Mr Price confounded the pundits with very strong interim earnings growth yesterday. What’s the secret to success in this Durban-headquartered company?
3) Chinese property prices keep falling-is this likely to prompt economic stimulus by the Chinese authorities?

Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi says he is NOT leaving the union federation. Vavi admitted that he refused to sign a letter expelling NUMSA from the union federation. Vavi says in a letter he wrote last week, he did mention that the decision taken by Cosatu central executive committee to expel Numsa from the trade union federation has "momentous implications". The letter was sent on Tuesday and addressed to the Cosatu president, affiliate general secretaries and provincial secretaries. He said he was sending the letter in his capacity as general secretary but also in his personal capacity. Sakina Kamwendo speaks to Mr Vavi

About 300 people including families, say that they will continue to sleep out in the open, and will not move from the land they occupied illegally, until the City of Tshwane addresses their housing needs. Tshwane Metro Police and security guards dismantled shacks illegally built on a vacant plot in Nellmapius, on wednesday. The community leader says that they waited for a representative from the city, who was scheduled to address them, but were later told that the person will not be coming because of a gala dinner he is scheduled to attend. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Eddie Mathiba, a community leader at Nellmapius and spokesperson for the City of Tshwane, Blessing Manale.

Asian markets increase momentum as they are sparked by positive sentiment from Japan delaying the sales tax, the question though should be for how long , Premier Xi Gets a 'C' in Report Card on China's Policy Program: Economy, What the economic changes have affected the family institution in the U.S