In response to calls for abolition, the Basic Education Department emphasises the need for reform in Mathematical Literacy.
The Department of Basic Education said the debate surrounding Mathematical Literacy should not be reduced to whether the subject should be abolished, saying any changes to the curriculum would need to take into account the different needs of learners and the country.
Responding to former Education minister Naledi Pandor’s comments about Mathematical Literacy, the department stated that curriculum reform is an ongoing process and continues to assess whether the curriculum meets South Africa’s educational, economic, and developmental needs.
The department said Mathematical Literacy has a specific purpose and provides learners with mathematical, financial, and problem-solving skills that can be applied in everyday life.
It said Mathematics, Technical Mathematics, and Mathematical Literacy were designed for different purposes and career pathways, with Mathematics supporting fields such as science, healthcare, engineering, finance and technology, while Technical Mathematics provides skills for technical and vocational careers.
