Mathematics Education needs a Boost

Looking specifically at the Maths results for South African schools in 2011 the future for economic development looks bleak. I refer specifically to the training of new professionals for our society – engineers, doctors, scientists and the like. Maths is the backbone of much of the professional, entrepreneurial and corporate management sector of any society, so a healthy pass rate at school feeds the requirements of our universities and thus our economy.

If one were to look at the results of the numerous ‘interventions’ in Maths education in 2011, these interventions didn’t produce what was intended. In 2010, the matric (Grade 12) pass rate in South Africa was 47,4%. In 2011 it dropped to 46,3%. But that is still a misnomer. South Africa has adopted ‘Maths Literacy’ as a subject. Most often, kids failing at pure Maths are relegated to Maths Literacy. No universities will consider Maths Literacy as a subject for any entry requirements. Further, if we deducted the Maths Literacy passing learners from the 46,3% for 2011, the actual pure Maths pass rate was 24%!! That is shocking and does not bode well for the future.

So how do we solve the problem.  Maths experts have been grappling with the problem for some years. Extra Maths teachers are cashing in. Extra Maths workbooks line the shelves in bookstores and supermarkets. Still, the problem persists.

But there is a solution and it is here. If one wanted to converse or do business in a specific language, he or she would want to become literate and conceptually understand communications given in that language. Well, Maths is a language. So. . . I know it’s too simple, but lets just get the kids literate in Maths. Help them gain conceptual understanding of the words and terms of Maths. Then they can apply what they know.

Simple, put a My Maths Buddy Maths dictionary in their hands. It works, because it addresses each of the key points related to the words and terms of  Mathematics.

learn more at www.mymathsbuddy.co.za

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