Education
With reference to subject choices for learners in the province:
(a) What (i) measure or measures does her Department undertake to recommend Mathematics and Science as subject choices among Grade 9 learners who are going to Grade 10 in the province and (ii) what are the details of other measures on this matter of subject selection that fall outside this bracket (Grade 9–10) that her Department is undertaking and (b)(i) how many high schools in the province offer only Mathematics from Grade 10 onwards and (ii) what are the reasons for this?
- As part of our advocacy and included in the subject choices section of the Life Orientation curriculum in the Senior Phase, the following is communicated:
- That Mathematics and Physical Sciences are compulsory for entry into certain faculties at university, for example Science and Engineering, ICT and several Health Sciences.
- That Mathematics is also critical for engineering programmes at TVET Colleges, and if learners do not perform in this subject they will not qualify for their selective course.
- That learners must be aware of specific subject and mark entrance requirements for certain degree courses.
- that STEAMAC (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Maths, Agriculture & Coding) related skills, qualifications and abilities will be fundamental to many careers of the future.
- The province has secured free access to the Siyavula Mathematics and Physical Sciences software and is advocating its utilisation in all schools.
Other projects to enhance Mathematics and Physical Sciences performance include a teacher mentorship programme and live broadcasting of lessons via the Telematic Schools Project. The expansion of vocational programmes in Technical High Schools promotes participation in Mathematics/Technical Mathematics and Physical Sciences/ Technical Sciences as compulsory subjects.
We also collaborate with the Cape Town Science Centre to promote Mathematics and Physical Sciences support programmes for both learners and teachers.
The WCED is currently developing a mathematics strategy for schools. The purpose of the mathematics strategy is to encourage positive mindsets; to build on the adjusted curriculum and highlight the building blocks for solid foundations in Mathematics; to empower officials enabling the provision of quality support for teaching and learning; to develop the child’s ability for adaptive and creative learning to solve problems and construct Maths knowledge, to be reflective and to talk about his/her thinking; ultimately fostering a genuine love for the beauty of Mathematics and the relevance thereof for the learners on all spheres.
(b) (i) The following four high schools offer only Mathematics:
- Protea Heights Academy
- Cape Academy for Mathematics and Science
- Centre of Science and Technology (COSAT)
- Claremont High School
The 23 Technical High Schools in the province offer learners the option of doing either Technical Mathematics or Mathematics.
(ii) The schools listed in (i) are MST focus schools. All other schools offer Mathematical Literacy and Mathematics as they are fundamental subjects.
