Basic Education introduces reorientation plan to address maths and science challenges

JOHANNESBURG – In response to growing concerns over foundation phase learner performance in maths and science, the Department of Basic Education (DBE) has announced a strategic reorientation plan. 

DBE Minister Siviwe Gwarube revealed the move on Monday during the announcement of the 2024 National Senior Certificate examination results in Johannesburg. 

In a historic achievement, the matric class of 2024 recorded an 87.3% pass rate, the highest ever in South Africa. 

While celebrating the results, Gwarube admitted that more work is needed to strengthen the foundation of the education system. 

A 2023 international standardised benchmarking survey revealed that South Africa’s grade 5 learners ranked last out of 59 countries in maths and science. 

In response, DBE plans to implement a strategic reorientation plan to address these challenges. 

READ: Matric class of 2024 achieves SA’s highest-ever pass rate

Key interventions include improving access to quality Early Childhood Development (ECD) and enhancing teaching and learning at the foundation phase. 

“I believe that this strategic reorientation towards ECD and the foundation phase will improve the quality of the learning outcomes we are able to achieve throughout the system,” said Gwarube.

Gwarube said these measures will enable learners to move through the education system more confidently and achieve better outcomes. 

President Cyril Ramaphosa has hailed the class of 2024’s historic pass rate as an indication of the strides that the government has made towards the country’s future.  

Last year’s cohort achieved an overall pass rate of 87.3% – with provinces seeing an increase in the pass rate. 

They also achieved the most bachelor passes and distinctions, standing at over 319,000. 

The top performing provinces are Kwazulu-Natal, followed by the Western Cape and Gauteng.

“These results reinforce our resolute development of our nation’s most valuable resource, our young people. They also provide proof that we are undoing apartheid’s planned legacy of intergenerational indignity, disadvantage and poverty for the majority of South Africans,” said Presidency spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya.

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