Just Perfect
Last week, it was reported that the maths pass mark would be lowered to 20%. This was widely covered by numerous media outlets and met with much outrage by the public. However, this week, the spokesperson for the Department of Education, Elijah Mhlanga, explained that these reports were misleading and inaccurate as the pass rate in fact remains at 40%.
The current policy states that even if a student passes all other subjects, but gets less than 40% for maths, they fail the year. He said the department’s research has recognised that many students excel in the arts, languages and technical subjects over maths and this needs to be taken in to consideration, hence the policy review. The “20% rule” will only apply for the 2016 academic year while the policy is under review. Therefore, for this year, the decision was taken to allow grade 7, 8 and 9 pupils who met all other requirements but fell short on the usual maths requirements, and only passed with over 20%, to pass.
Before making their subject choices for grade 10, all grade 7 to 9 pupils are required to do pure maths and pass with 40%. It was in fact the school principals and provincial education bought forward the concern that a student who does not intend to carry on with maths, should not have this subject be the deciding factor as to whether they progress to the next year or not. These students who perform poorly in maths in 2016 will be strongly advised to not continue with pure maths, instead selecting the maths literacy option.
“We are not relaxing the pass requirements, we are not changing the policy. This is based on the fact that in 2014 we increased the pass requirements…and we realised we needed to come up with special measures on a temporary basis to try and address the challenges,” said Mhlanga.
Regardless of 40% pass rate, higher standards for students in general should be set from day one. Whether or not the students continue with pure maths from grade 10 onwards, having an understanding of the subject will help the child even if they are pursuing a more creative or technical career path. If mathematics in the foundation phase of the child’s school career (and even before that) are addressed, there will be no concern about meeting this threshold.
In a three day indaba held this week, Basic Education minister, Angie Motsheka commented that government has finally realised maths in South Africa is in crisis and a major intervention is needed. She said that one of the biggest problems is teachers are not well trained enough and cannot answer the students’ questions. She said maths is a basic skill which can help people in their daily lives. She mentioned that in Japan and Singapore they have seen success with their methods of teaching maths and this is something we can take learn from going forward.
A+ Students’ programme is whole-brain development programme that offers Soroban (Japanese for Abacus) maths for kids. A+ Students allows children from the age of 30 months to begin their maths careers and provides the child with a range of skills including improving fine-motor skills, boosting their self-confidence, increase IQ by 25 points and enhance their creativity. By “playing” maths from a young age, the attitude and perception towards the subject is seen a whole new light by the kids who participate in the programme, especially when they start from an early age.
A+ Students’ programme integrates grade three school maths in to their syllabus, based on Oxford, Cambridge and CAPS. Their over 610 teaching facilities in all nine provinces area testament to their success. With small classes of 5-7 pupils and five packages to choose from, finding a package that suits your child will be simple.
A+ Students can be reached on 011 958 2910. For more information email admin@cmaths.co.za or for specific branch details click here or visit www.aplusstudents.co.za.
Sources: iol.co.za, maroelamedia.co.za, and 702.co.za
