In an ongoing effort to improve the quality of mathematics passes among matriculants, the Department of Basic Education, in conjunction with the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (Saica) and its Thuthuka Education Upliftment Fund (TEUF), would engage learners across the country in mathematics education camps over the winter holiday period.

The camps represented an important component of the TEUF’s initiatives targeting qualifying African and coloured learners aspiring to become chartered accountants. Participating learners were selected based on their academic performance with a minimum of 60% in mathematics, science and accounting required to qualify.

“Saica is concerned about the quality [of] and the declining maths pass rate among South Africa’s matriculants, and also about the steady decline on a yearly basis of the number of pupils who take up core mathematics [as] most learners are opting for maths literacy,” the institute said.

Saica transformation and growth project director Gugu Makhanya said the camps generally consisted of five-day to seven-day workshops. About 200 learners from each province would participate in the camps this year.

“Facilitators are invited to help motivate the learners and develop key skills identified as underdeveloped in African learners – numeracy, literacy, study skills, examination techniques and other soft skills,” she said.

Saica funded and managed the organisation of the camps with financial support from the provincial departments of education and the South African Reserve Bank.

“The camps are an excellent opportunity for learners to improve their academic performance in mathematics, science, accounting, and English, while also developing the softer skills that will support them in their tertiary education, as well as their future careers.