A shocking revelation has exposed a critical gap in South Africa’s education system, with 464 public schools no longer offering mathematics as a subject. The alarming trend has sparked widespread concern among parents, educators, and policy experts, as mathematics remains a foundational subject for careers in science, engineering, and technology.
Root Causes: Teacher Shortages and Student Choices
Seliki Tlhabane, Chief Director for Math, Science, and Technology at the Department of Basic Education, acknowledged the problem stems from multiple factors:
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Teacher Allocation Issues – Smaller schools, particularly in rural areas, lack sufficient teachers due to funding models tied to student numbers.
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Perceived Difficulty – Many students fear mathematics, opting for “maths literacy,” an easier alternative that limits future career opportunities.
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Teacher Competency – While most educators are qualified, some struggle with advanced mathematics instruction, impacting student performance.
Nomusa Cembi, spokesperson for the South African Teachers Union (SADTU), added that students increasingly choose maths literacy in Grade 10 to secure a passing matric mark rather than pursuing pure mathematics.
Department’s Response: Long-Term Fixes Underway
Tlhabane outlined measures to address the crisis, including:
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Strengthening early childhood education to build foundational math skills.
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Teacher training programs to improve instruction quality.
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Increased university recruitment of math teachers.
Recent data shows slight improvements, with more Grade 10-12 students enrolling in mathematics in 2025 compared to previous years. However, Khumalo stressed that systemic challenges—such as resource disparities and student perceptions—remain major hurdles.
Call to Action: A National Priority
Education experts warn that without urgent intervention, South Africa risks widening inequality in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) fields. The department has pledged to revisit the issue, but stakeholders demand faster action to ensure no student is denied access to critical subjects.
“If we want future engineers and scientists, we must make mathematics accessible and well-taught in every school,” Tlhabane emphasized.
As debates continue, parents and educators await concrete solutions to revive mathematics education—and with it, the prospects of thousands of learners.
