‘SA comes last in maths and science’
MIDRAND - After a report came out criticising maths standards in South Africa, My Maths Buddy says something drastic needs to be done.
The World Economic Forum report on Information Technology claimed that South Africa’s maths and science education is ranked 148th out of 148 countries surveyed.
Through its initiative, in partnership with MX FM, My Maths Buddy One Book One Learner project uses a maths dictionary to bring a greater understanding of maths to hundreds of learners in South Africa and to assist teachers.
My Maths Buddy spokesperson Paul Sondergaard said, “To some extent the report is on-point with maths’ and science’s low standards. We have to step up levels of the maths ability of our youth so they become the best professionals this country needs.”
He said the 30 percent pass mark for maths literacy will not address the core issue of pupils failing maths. The My Maths Buddy is a sure solution for addressing maths problems, he said.
“The project delivers workshops to learners and teachers so that they can understand maths better and get a better pass rate,” he said.
The Department of Basic Education quickly rejected the report. The department’s spokesperson Troy Martens said, “The report is not a credible or accurate reflection of the state of education in South Africa. It falsely insinuates that our maths and science are the worst in the world.”
Martens explained that the 2011 Trends in Mathematics and Science Studies (TIMSS) indicated that sections of the education system are responding positively to the interventions made by the department. The TIMSS showed “improved maths and science competencies of Grade 9 pupils compared to Grade 9 pupils tested in 2002”. She added that the local assessments done by Annual National Assessments and National Senior Certificates have shown significant progress in maths and science.
