Improving matric maths results requires the involvement and commitment of learners, parents, teachers, school governing bodies and government to ensure that the country produces high-quality matric learners who are eligible to study key professions in the fields of accounting, engineering, commerce and science.

The quality of matric maths results is a national issue that South Africa must address to improve its critical skills development strategy, says South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (Saica) senior executive for professional development, transformation and growth Chantyl Mulder.

The quality of the results is a big concern, as the pass mark is only 30%. The steady decline in the number of pupils who take mathematics as a subject is also problematic, as most learners are opting for mathematical literacy, she explains.

“I wish that 70% of maths passes would be a score of at least 60%,” remarks Mulder, adding that the focus should be on quality, and not quantity.

She is pleased about the improvement in the mathematics results of 2012, but is adamant that much more needs to be done. Of the 225 874 learners who wrote the National Senior Certificate mathematics exam, 54% passed – an improvement on the 46.3% achieved in 2011. There were 6 591 distinctions in 2012, compared with 5 669 in 2011 – an increase of 922.

One of Saica’s prime functions is to increase the number of the nation’s prospective accountants. Tasked with boosting the numbers of black chartered accountants in South Africa, the institute’s Thuthuka Bursary Fund offers about 350 bursaries to African and coloured South African grade 12 learners who achieve exceptional all-round marks, but especially in mathematics and English.

“Learners take the easier maths literacy option, hoping to achieve a better result. However, maths literacy dramatically reduces their options for further study and employment. We need to produce highly skilled and educated African professionals. It is important that we get the right quality of learners,” says Mulder.

Through its Thuthuka Maths Olympiad programmes, Saica will support and encourage grade eight and grade nine learners to continue with mathematics.

She adds that, in light of South Africa hosting the International Maths Olympiad in 2014, “South Africa, as the host country, needs to showcase its young maths talent on a global scale”.