Maths and science decline concerning – Ecsa
The decline of the number of science and mathematics students had become an increasing concern, Engineering Council of South Africa (Ecsa) acting CEO Edgar Sabela said on Tuesday.
While the constant upward trend shows us that we are moving in the right direction, he said, citing the 78.2% of the 2013 matriculants that had passed, the nation must not lose sight of the crucial importance of improving mathematics and science results.
The number of current learners writing mathematics and physical science examinations for matric had fallen 17% since 2009 – a statistic exacerbated by concerns about the overall quality and the inadequate performance in the mathematics and science fields, both critical markers for acceptance into studying engineering at a tertiary level.
“If we want to see notable trends of excellence in these subjects at secondary school level, we must ingrain the importance of performing well at mathematics and the sciences at a foundation level,” he said, adding that many primary school learners were not even passing mathematics and science.
Ecsa, through a project called Engenius, aims to centralise national programmes, materials, products, initiatives and a calendar of events, to improve entries into engineering faculties by boosting primary and secondary schools’ output of potential engineering students.
“South Africa is in need of skilled engineers who will contribute to a sound, sustainable economy in line with the South African government’s National Infrastructure Plan, which aims to transform the economic landscape, while simultaneously creating significant numbers of new jobs, and strengthening the delivery of basic services,” he concluded.
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