Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian
maths and sciencelatest news & developments
Former Australian captain Steve Smith and Darren Lehmann

Letters to the editor: February 17 to 23 2017

Readers write in about maths and science, and dignity and ubuntu.

When African countries strengthen and grow their research and innovation capabilities

​Pupils’ 20% pass reflects crisis in maths teaching

South Africans should be deeply worried about the state of maths teaching and learning.

When African countries strengthen and grow their research and innovation capabilities

​Drop in grade nine maths whizzes could affect SA’s future

The numbers are low so more needs to be done to support top performing maths pupils – even at private schools.

SA still bottom of the class in science and maths but there’s cause for some optimism

Drilled into learning by rote, grade nines still fare dismally, but better than they used to.

Iranian Maryam Mirzakhani is one of the few female mathematicians to have penetrated the glass ceiling.

Africa needs more women hooked on science

The marginalisation of women in science occurs globally, but representation is particularly dire in Africa.

Only 2.5% of the pupils who started school 12 years ago achieved more than a 60% pass in mathematics and just 1.6% achieved a 60%-plus pass in science.

Improved maths and science results crucial to technology entrepreneurship

Poor pass rates and stifling government policies and regulations have been undermining efforts to boost local innovation in technology.

The Maths Centre’s aim is to inculcate a love of maths and science and to make learning fun.

Maths at school adds up to success

A nonprofit organisation is going to the heart of South Africa’s educational problem and getting good results.

Health worker infections have risen to 170 at state and private hospitals and two healthcare staff succumb to the disease in a space of seven days. (Paul Botes/M&G)

Schools required to pick up slack with maths, science

The Department of Basic Education is putting measures in place to ensure schools stop dropping the two critical subjects.

Khaya Dlanga: Our education is designed to cripple

We are breeding a nation of angry underachievers, yet we come from a generation of overachievers. Citizens now need to step up to the education plate.

The myths of maths and education

There is scant evidence to back up the idea that success in maths will lead to economic progress.

Rural community gets computer lab

Two schools in rural KwaZulu-Natal received iPads and computers for more advanced math and science learning

Ask the right questions

South Africa must do more to overcome the challenges that teachers and learners face in maths and science education.

Pumzile Ngundle believes no teacher should give up on any pupil.

Finding a working recipe

With a method he had learnt at university, this teacher was truly able to help a child.

Pumzile Ngudle believes no teacher should give up on any pupil.

Finding a working recipe

With a method he had learnt at university, this teacher was truly able to help a child.

Thousands to benefit from chess as a teaching tool

Thousands to benefit from chess as a teaching tool

President Jacob Zuma hopes that an old game will help learners improve their maths skills.

SA education: The poorest choice

SA education: The poorest choice

Why do South African children perform worse than those in poorer countries?

Fewer matrics taking, passing maths

While the overall pass rate for matriculants had increased, the number of students who sat the mathematics paper and then passed, dropped in 2010.

First-year fumble

Monako Dibetle reports on growing concern in the tertiary sector about poor first-year maths and science results.

Maths with a mission

Making maths fun to learn is the aim of an innovative new project, writes Sharon van Wyk.