by Tauhierah Salie

The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has denied rumours that it is phasing maths and science out of schools in the province.

It follows reports that thousands of students have dropped science subjects, as well as opted for Mathematics Literacy as opposed to ‘Pure’ Maths. Education experts are concerned that the country will lose valuable industry leaders, in the face of increasingly complex challenges.

Speaking to VOC Breakfast on Tuesday, spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said that apart from a picket outside one school over SGB drivers’ salaries, e third term is off to a good start.

Hammond described the recent reports as “radical”, reassuring that science subjects and Pure Maths is still encouraged and is not being “phased out” as claimed. Education experts are concerned that the country will lose valuable industry leaders, in the face of increasingly complex challenges. Hammond reiterated that it among the focus areas.

“We’re trying to do the opposite actually. This year, we launched a Maths Strengthening programmes (and) encouraged learners to participate (from) a younger age and also make that critical decision in grade 9, to choose Maths instead of Maths Literacy.”

Hammond emphasized that securing a strong Literary foundation during Early Childhood Development needs to be prioritized. She added that teachers and care-givers have an important role to play.

“We had difficulty trying to get qualified teachers to (rural) areas and found that (pure) Maths participants dwindling.  The fact is, we have to increase capacity and availability and opportunities for students to participate in math and science.” she added.

“You could lose a child to math even in Grade three. Its about ensuring students are confidence, that we have the qualified teachers and that there is a passion out there by parents (…) that they also try to instill in their children a passion for reading, because that is also connected to Mathematics,” said Hammond.

Western Cape Education MEC, David Maynier, said that the department will spend the remainder of the school year addressing severe learning loses in the foundation phases. Maynier said the weekly time allocation for Mathematics and Reading will be increased for Grades one to three. He adds that an extra two hours will be allocated to Reading per week and one extra hour per week for Mathematics, for students across the province, which will not extend the school day.

“The greatest learning losses can be seen in the Foundation Phase. We have always maintained that the loss of contact (face-to-face) teaching time would affect our youngest students the most as they do not have the same self-discipline, maturity or structure that our older students would have to cope with rotating timetables and learning at home,” Maynier said.

Maynier added that extensive consultations were conducted and consensus was reached that tackling deficits next year, would be too late.

“A minute will be sent to schools outlining what is required and providing suggested timetables when implementing the intervention. All Foundation Phase teachers will participate in a webinar on Monday 25 July 2022, to take them through the intervention before it is implemented,” Maynier concluded.

Meanwhile, in relation to the resolute concern over student placements, Hammond said that parents who have not yet applied should be urgently identified so that the process can get underway as soon as possible. She noted that the availing of additional resources such as teacher allocations and infrastructure delivery budget, should aid in improving the situation.

“We are really trying to have schools’ phone as many parents who are on their waiting lists, so we can get this process done and dusted by the end of the third term. I must also say that Gauteng for example, are only opening their admission process for grade 1 and 8 this week. So, we are well in advance but we do know our challenges and have done it earlier.”

VOC