There has been a decline of 5 667 matric learners taking mathematics at Dinaledi schools in 2011, when compared to 2010. This is according to a report released last week.
There are 500 designated Dinaledi schools across SA. The primary objective of the Dinaledi project is to ensure these schools are supported to significantly increase the participation and performance of learners in mathematics and physical science, with the aim of ultimately increasing the number of students entering the engineering and ICT fields.
In a report on the performance of Dinaledi schools in the National Senior Certificate (NSC) Examinations 2011, the Department of Basic Education (DBE) says this decline reflects the decline in all public schools nationally.
There has been a decrease in the number of learners taking mathematics at matric level since 2008. In 2008, 53 469 Dinaledi learners enrolled for mathematics and this declined to 50 921 in 2009, 47 760 in 2010 and 42 083 in 2011.
“The highest decline in learner numbers has been in Gauteng, Limpopo and the Western Cape. One of the possible reasons for the decline could be that some of the Dinaledi schools may be offering mathematical literacy as a subject of choice to learners,” says the department.
Performance drop
The number of learners who passed mathematics nationally was 47%, a drop from 49% in 2010. The total number of learners writing and passing mathematics in Dinaledi schools in 2011 was 54%, with only 1 174, out of a total of 42 083 that wrote, passing with over 80%.
In 2009, the number of learners who passed mathematics at Dinaledi schools with 50% and above was 12 213, in 2010 it was 16 001, and in 2011 it was 9 412. “This is a decline of 6 589 learners passing at this level in 2011, compared to 2010,” says the DBE.
The total number of Dinaledi students writing physical science has also been on a steady decline, with 40 379 writing in 2008, 39 445 in 2009, 36 861 in 2010 and 33 401 in 2011. The DOE says the highest decline in learner numbers has been in Gauteng, Limpopo and North West.
Of the 169 658 learners who wrote physical science in 2011 nationally, 92 624 passed the subject. “This suggests an increase from 49% to 55% despite the general decrease in the number of learners writing the subject,” says the DBE. However, the pass rate in Dinaledi schools declined.
The number of Dinaledi learners passing physical science in 2011 was 20 884 (63%), with only 1 191 passing with 80% and above. In 2009, 5 188 Dinaledi learners passed physical science with 50% and above, in 2010 13 217 passed with over 50%, and in 2011 it was 8 554.
2012 hope
The DBE says the Dinaledi schools project is in line with the National Strategy for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education and Action Plan 2014.
The grant is intended to address the top up of textbooks for each learner in Grades 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12; to source ICT laboratories, computers, software, mobile science laboratories and mathematics kits; to refurbish ICT laboratories, sourcing of computers and software; and to train teachers on content knowledge of mathematics and physical science.
“The utilisation of the conditional grant commenced in April 2011. Provinces have provided support to Grade 8 to 12 in Dinaledi schools. It is believed that the conditional grant will yield positive results in learner enrolment and performance starting in the 2012 NSC examinations.”
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