Maths and science are often considered the two most difficult school subjects that are so often avoided by students, yet they can have a significant impact on what a learner can do after Grade 12.
Stem (science, technology, engineering and maths) skills are critical in today’s fast-paced world, but it is evident that learners in South Africa are showing less of an appetite for subjects like maths and science. This mainly comes down to misconceptions and negative perceptions of maths and science, rather than one’s ability or aptitude for the subject. “Our youth are brought up to believe maths and science are too difficult, that it has no real value in the real world, and therefore they are not worth the effort,” says Prof Azwinndini Muronga, Executive Dean of Science at Nelson Mandela University. “This can have an incredibly negative effect on learners’ attitudes on these subjects.
“What many learners and parents fail to realise is that maths and science are enabling subjects that are a gateway to higher education and beyond. They lay the foundation in applying knowledge when encountering complex principles competently in the school curriculum, at university and later on in life.”
The performances of learners in maths and science are well below par compared to other countries. Data from a TIMMS assessment shows South African learners consistently performed lower in maths and science than their international peers.
One of the major factors impacting the findings is the unequal status of learners and their different backgrounds. Learners from households that lack basic amenities, such as running water, flushing toilets, electricity and access to the internet, have the lowest educational outcomes. Conditions at home that are conducive to learning are crucial for improved learning and outcomes.
Cultivating a curiosity
Young people have a natural curiosity about the world around them. Learnings from maths and science “plant the seed” in gaining an understanding of the order of things and how they work.
These skills are honed on the education journey and applied in scenarios that go beyond the classroom, such as in the kitchen, garage, in nature and the rest of tangible reality.
“Maths and science give learners more choice when it comes to applying to study at university,” says Muronga. “Without them they would not be eligible for programmes and apprenticeships in the fields of science, engineering and even commerce, as many higher education institutions place a strong emphasis on maths and science.”
Maths is also beneficial in other areas including problem-solving, quantifying and interpreting data, the comprehension of text, debating, project management, and personal finance. Science and technology can cultivate creativity, observation, analytical research, and can also have an impact on society such as sustainability and environmental conservation.
Improving the shortcomings
“The ability of learners to solve real-life problems creatively is vital to addressing job creation and sustainable economic growth, particularly against the backdrop of 4IR,” said Prof Werner Olivier, Director: Govan Mbeki Mathematics Development Centre.
“This underscores a dire need for skills development and support of mathematics teachers and structured programmes to incubate learners for access to and success with Stem study programmes at university.”
