Is Maths Tutoring The Answer To A Failing Education System?

March 1, 2012 - PRLog -- South Africa’s pass rate for mathematics is among the lowest in the world. In 2010 only 47% of learners who wrote the mathematics exam passed by obtaining 30% or above, while in 2011 only 46% passed. The multifaceted cause for the low mathematics and science pass rate include lack of resources and personnel, lack of teacher and learner commitment, lack of teacher and learner discipline, ineffective school policy and unclear government policy. In addition, mathematics is a compound subject which requires solid base knowledge to develop more complex problem solving skills. Often extra maths lessons are the only way to overcome the educational system’s shortcomings and construct a solid foundation for knowledge building.

Two additional concerns include the declining number of learners writing matric mathematics and the low minimum pass rate. In 2010, 124 749 learners wrote matric mathematics, in 2011 there was a 16% decline to 104 033, which was accompanied by a one percent fall in the pass rate to 46%. In 2006 the South African government introduced a new compulsory subject called mathematics literacy. An easier alternative to mathematics, maths literacy is increasingly becoming the choice of learners. While this has superficially boosted the matric overall pass rate, it is important to remember that economic growth is largely based on a nation’s scientific knowledge. Compounding the low pass rate is the low minimum needed to pass mathematics and science which should be 50%. Instead, 30% will get learners a pass which does not adequately prepare them for the requirements of tertiary education or the workplace.

The low minimum pass rate and the easier option of maths literacy will not resolve the crisis in South African education and can only serve to compound it. Parents who are interested in promoting their children’s future can hire a mathematics tutor to ensure learners have a good grasp of the theory and the practical applications of mathematics. Using the correct mathematics tutoring methodologies, tutors will be able to make seemingly complex processes simple, which will boost the learner’s knowledge, confidence, ability and ultimately career opportunities.

It is essential to increase the number of learners choosing mathematics instead of maths literacy, and to ensure learner’s pass well. Improved mathematics marks will provide more opportunity for learners to follow careers in professional fields such as medicine and engineering. This can help South Africa fight unemployment and poverty by increasing the number of professionals in the country. Mathematics tutoring is only a band aid for an education system clearly in trouble. The long term solution to the problem requires the reinvigoration of the education system where school and educational policies are aligned, all schools have adequate resources, ill-discipline is routed out and teachers are properly trained. Only then will learners have adequate knowledge and motivation to succeed.

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All of Hire Education's Math tutors are highly trained and assessed. When your child takes extra Math lessons, the first thing that we do is to look at the problems he or she is having and then assess the best way of correcting them.

For further information http://www.hireeducation.co.za