Question NW2635 to the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
11 December 2020 - NW2635
Tarabella - Marchesi, Ms NI to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
With reference to the general decline in the enrolment of students in various subjects, most notably mathematics and science since January 2016, what (a) plans is her department implementing to address the general decline in enrolment for mathematics and science subjects and (b) was the total number of teachers who majored in mathematics and science subjects in the Republic in the 2019 and 2020 academic years?
Reply:
The Department of Basic Education makes R400 000 000 (four hundred million Rands) available to the nine (9) Provincial Education Departments (PEDS) by means of ring-fenced funding as the Mathematics, Science and Technology Conditional Grant. Programmes funded by the MST Grant are implemented by the PEDs; and are intended to increase learner participation rate as well as to improve the quality of learner performance. In addition, provision is made for interventions specifically aimed at supporting girl learners. In the event a PED has difficulty recruiting teachers of Mathematics and Physical Sciences, the DBE has, for almost a decade, also partnered with TEACH SA to provide good quality university graduates who can be deployed where needed. The placement of these young graduates reduces the likelihood of learners dropping Mathematics and Physical Sciences. This programme ensures provision of an academically qualified person to schools that may otherwise would not have been able to employ a teacher of these subjects.