Has the route of Math Literacy failed our learners and excluded them from studying courses such as Engineering or Accounting? This question has been the subject of long-running debate for years now, developing the sentiment that Pure Math should be valued higher that Math Lit.
According to Cassie Kruger, former Principal of False Bay College, learners completing matric with Math Lit. are not excluded from applying for Engineering and Accounting courses and can be accepted, but more often than not, those with a Pure Math background will be considered first for placement.
Colleges are not trying to be exclusive in their application process but find that those students who have a background in Math Lit. struggle to bridge the gap and keep up with the standard that is required for Engineering for example. Colleges also admit that they do filter the applications so as to accept students that will see it through to the end of their degree or diploma.
Kruger commented that many of the students that apply for courses such as Engineering are often funded by public organisations such as the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) who contribute millions of rands per year to their tertiary education. When students fail to complete their studies because of the challenge of keeping up with the requirements, those funds are then lost and the investment placed in those students reap no economic reward.
If the state is to invest in students, they expect a "return on investments" as it were. This is one of the reasons, Kruger stated, for colleges being somewhat "exclusive" when considering candidates with Pure Math vs. Math Lit. for certain courses where a higher standard of mathematical skills is required.
So, what does this mean for those learners taking Math Lit. at schools throughout the country? Has the education department introduced an alternative to Pure Math, for those who struggle in this subject, only for it to be seen as insufficient for tertiary education?
Perhaps the biggest problem surrounding Math Literature is the lack of understanding about this subject. While it does not take as technical an approach as Pure Math, it still uses mathematical concepts and applies them to everyday situations.
In the curriculum statement, the Department of Education's definition of Mathematical Literacy can be summarised as such: Mathematical Literacy provides learners with an awareness and understanding of the role that mathematics plays in the modern world. Mathematical Literacy is a subject driven by life-related applications of mathematics. It enables learners to develop the ability and confidence to think numerically and spatially in order to interpret and critically analyse everyday situations and to solve problems.
So, while it looks at different aspects of Math and critical thinking, it still provides learnerss with the necessary skills needed in our country such as financial management, Hire-Purchase and interpreting statistics.
So, are learnerss just being encouraged to take Math Literature the minute they struggle to maintain the grades for Pure Math? This is a complicated discussion, but regardless of one's reasoning behind taking Math Lit., there is no doubt that the learner will be equipped with the necessary fundamentals of Mathematics that can be used in everyday life.
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