mathematicslatest news & developments
Well done: It is true that more learners are completing school, often under extremely difficult conditions. This is a welcome development that should not be taken lightly. It should be roundly celebrated.

Casting lens beyond the Matric pass rate

For every hundred learners entering the NSC system, only a handful leave with Mathematics or Physical Sciences marks that reliably support success in engineering, science, health or technology

  • Eyaaz
8 min read
Young boffins: Mathematics trains the mind and teaches learners how to confront complexity without panic, how to break problems down, how to test assumptions and how to think and reason logically even through difficulty. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

The maths behind the 88% matric pass

In 2025, the national Mathematics pass rate, calculated at the very low threshold of 30%, declined from 69% to 64%.

  • Eyaaz
8 min read
Star pupil: Imani Ravhulani. Photo: Midstream College Ekurhuleni

Top achievers buck national trend

Among them was Imani Ravhulani, who attained 10 distinctions

  • Eyaaz
4 min read
The South African Democratic Teachers Union alleges schools are pressuring learners in grade 10 and upwards to drop maths to protect overall matric pass rates

Unions slam basic education department over no maths at 464 schools

The South African Democratic Teachers Union alleges schools are pressuring learners in grade 10 and upwards to drop maths to protect overall matric pass rates

  • Umamah Bakharia
5 min read

Chemistry and mathematics teacher training using an inquiry-based approach at Inkcubeko youth & science centre in George

Advancing Knowledge NPC (AK NPC) continued its inquiry-based STEM education training for senior  phase (grade 7-9) natural sciences teachers at the Inkcubeko Youth & Science Centre in Thembalethu, George. The first 2-day training session was conducted at the beginning of February  2025 and dealt with the curriculum content of the first school term’s work in […]

  • Shaun Goosen
4 min read
Children who enter grade one at the minimum age of 5½ years are at a significantly higher risk of repeating the year than those who wait until they are six to start school, a study has shown

Children who start grade one aged below six years at higher risk of having to repeat

President Cyril Ramaphosa emphasised the need to provide universal early-childhood development services to improve learner outcomes

  • Umamah Bakharia
4 min read
Dr Lynn Bowie, Director of Mathematics at OLICO Maths Education.

The maths masters

OLICO makes maths accessible, meaningful and enjoyable

  • Derek Davey
2 min read