Education
- How many high schools in the province offer Mathematics as a subject;
- whether there are measures in place to ensure that the standard of Mathematics offered at these schools are of the highest possible quality; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
- what is the provincial ratio of schools offering mathematics as a subject opposed to the national ratio?
(1)
6. (1) 359 (97%)
(2) Yes. The department applies a variety of measures to support Mathematics teaching and learning in high schools.
They include support to Dinaledi and Mathematics, Science and Technology Focus Schools that specialise in teaching these subjects. This support includes additional resources, such as information technology, incentives to improve participation in Mathematics and the quality of passes, and dedicated support by curriculum and subject advisers.
The department is collaborating with the University of Stellenbosch to broadcast lessons via satellite to 130 underperforming schools actively participating in the Telematics programme, with a strong focus on Mathematics.
Subject advisors in circuit teams work closely with schools to identify challenges and develop solutions. Challenges include under-qualified Mathematics teachers and ineffective school management. Interventions include training, providing ICT support incrementally, and ongoing mentoring by subject advisors.
The WCED will amend its support to Dinaledi, MST and other schools in 2016, in line with the requirements of the national conditional grant in terms of the new MST Framework of the Department of Basic Education.
The WCED will also start applying its new Mathematics Strategy in 2016 from Grade R to 12, which will focus on the following:
- People development (all role players in teaching and learning processes)
- Use of productive pedagogies
- Resource/facility provision and use
- Monitoring and evaluation (regular reflection in, on and about practice)
(3) 75% of high school nationally offer Mathematics compared to 96.8% of high schools in the Western Cape.
