Maths, science outcomes improving

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Pretoria - The maths and science outcomes at South African schools are improving, the Department of Basic Education said on Wednesday.

The department said it had strengthened guidance around subject choices by taking steps to improve assessment practices in schools.

“The introduction of the Annual National Assessments, for example, provides schools with high quality assessments that are set at the levels prescribed in the curriculum thus helping teachers to identify areas for remedial attention and encouraging well-informed subject choices prior to grade 12,” the department said.

In 2013, a total of 142 666 learners passed mathematics and substantially fewer candidates (98 843) did not pass compared to 2008.

“The overall numbers of mathematics and physical sciences passes are actually higher than ever before,” the department said.

It noted an upward trend in the actual number of learners enrolling for mathematics at Grade 12.

“The department recognises the need to further improve mathematics and science outputs, especially to increase the number of high-level passes.

“This is of great strategic importance both for economic growth and in order to empower individuals with globally competitive skills,” the department said.

The department has completed a nationwide teacher profiling which has provided it with useful and accurate information regarding the skills base of its workforce. 

The profiling was aimed at ensuring that teachers are qualified and competent.

“This information will eliminate challenges wherein Provincial Education Departments’ (PEDs) could not deploy teachers correctly, resulting in qualified teachers teaching subjects that they are not qualified to teach; vacancies remaining vacant for long periods of time and forecasting of the type of teachers that need to be trained being inaccurate,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za