Mathematical problems: Early intervention is key

With matric results in the spotlight currently, there's a sharp focus on how the drop in the maths pass rate is mirrored by the drop in the number of pupils who study the subject all the way to matric.

Education Economist from the RESEP (Research on Socioeconomic Policy) group at Stellenbosch University, Dr Rebecca Selkirk says early intervention is essential to prevent issues coming up in Grade 11 or 12.

"There's a lot of discussion every year about the participation at matric level, and also the achievement – but is it the accumulation of 12 years of schooling... one does need to start intervening earlier, before the subject choice is even made in Grade 10, and right back at the foundation phase, where those critical fundamental maths skills are first gained."

Dr Selkirk says sometimes the issue is that pupils who can't cope are pressured into choosing it as a subject.

"Maths is seen as aspirational, and that leads to a lot of learners taking maths when they potentially shouldn't be taking maths, because they then end up repeating and possibly even dropping out of school before reaching matric."

She says, on the other hand, so much attention is placed on the matric pass rate itself, as well as pressure on the schools – this creates a "risk of failure", which leads to some pupils being encouraged to rather take maths literacy.

When it comes to the requirements for tertiary education, Dr Selkirk says universities often have to accept candidates with lower marks, who might not be adequately equipped to meet the demands of that field of study.

To listen to Dr Rebecca Selkirk in conversation with 702's John Perlman, click the audio below: