You do the sum of maths in everyday life

There is an urgent need for curriculum transformation in maths, writes Mohamed Saeed.

The recent announcement by the department of basic education to amend the pass requirements for pupils in Grades 1 to 9 refers. The idea is practical but there is no need to lower the pass marks. What we need, is to revisit the curriculum to prepare pupils for life after matric.

Not everyone uses what is be- ing taught in subjects like maths. There is too much time and effort spent on maths. By this I don’t mean maths should not be taught, but we need to be realistic.

How often do grown-ups need geometry and complicated maths equations in their day-to-day lives? Why should students not intending to become engineers or mathematicians study pure maths?

What needs to be amended is the content being taught in some subjects and the “two-tier” education system. According to researchers, the imbalances in the education system continue to favour the rich and students living in urban areas, rather than rural areas.

Since the collapse of apartheid more than twenty years ago the curriculum and theory have not really changed. There is an urgent need for curriculum transformation and new vision in the education system in South Africa.

The curriculum needs to embrace social justice education, technology, digital transformation, critical thinking and active learning.