A shocking revelation has exposed a critical gap in South Africa’s education system, with 464 public schools no longer offering mathematics as a subject. The alarming trend has sparked widespread concern among parents, educators, and policy experts, as mathematics remains a foundational subject for careers in science, engineering, and technology.

Seliki Tlhabane, Chief Director for Math, Science, and Technology at the Department of Basic Education, acknowledged the problem stems from multiple factors:

Nomusa Cembi, spokesperson for the South African Teachers Union (SADTU), added that students increasingly choose maths literacy in Grade 10 to secure a passing matric mark rather than pursuing pure mathematics.

Tlhabane outlined measures to address the crisis, including:

Recent data shows slight improvements, with more Grade 10-12 students enrolling in mathematics in 2025 compared to previous years. However, Khumalo stressed that systemic challenges—such as resource disparities and student perceptions—remain major hurdles.

Education experts warn that without urgent intervention, South Africa risks widening inequality in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) fields. The department has pledged to revisit the issue, but stakeholders demand faster action to ensure no student is denied access to critical subjects.

“If we want future engineers and scientists, we must make mathematics accessible and well-taught in every school,” Tlhabane emphasized.

As debates continue, parents and educators await concrete solutions to revive mathematics education—and with it, the prospects of thousands of learners.