{"id":294818,"date":"2026-01-14T11:46:31","date_gmt":"2026-01-14T09:46:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/hermanustimes\/?p=294818"},"modified":"2026-01-14T11:46:33","modified_gmt":"2026-01-14T09:46:33","slug":"sa-has-a-huge-maths-crisis-in-schools","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/hermanustimes\/sa-has-a-huge-maths-crisis-in-schools\/","title":{"rendered":"SA has a huge maths crisis in schools"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Of the 1\u2009228\u2009\u2009510 learners who entered Grade 1 in 2012 only 20,5% sat for the final core mathematics exam in the 2024 National Senior Certificate, and fewer than 1% achieved a distinction.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This stark reality captures South Africa’s decades-long mathematics crisis. “Visualise this,” said Greg Shapiro, founder of K2U Learning Systems. “If every learner who dropped out of core mathematics stood shoulder-to-shoulder, the line would stretch from Cape Town to Johannesburg.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ripple effects reach tertiary level, where around 120\u2009000 students compete for just 10\u2009\u2009000 university places. The country’s true youth unemployment rate \u2013 closer to 45% than the often-quoted 31% \u2013 underscores the economic and human cost of this academic failure.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yet Shapiro insisted the situation, though dire, can be fixed. “But the system needs to be rewired.” His wife, two daughters and their highly committed team are actively involved in building the organisation.
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Turning Knowledge into Understanding<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

K2U Learning Systems specialises in accelerated, mnemonic-based learning for STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). The organisation, led by Shapiro, who has dedicated more than 40 years to developing transformative educational systems, follows a back-to-basics, brick-by-brick approach to rebuilding mathematical understanding.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He explained that the cracks in the system appear early. In Grade 7 learners face a curriculum that, due to high content volume, fails to prepare them for the algebra-heavy demands of Grade 8 and 9. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Skilled maths teachers are often reserved for senior grades, leaving junior learners \u2013 where foundations are laid \u2013 in less experienced hands.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Language barriers often compound the problem. Most isiXhosa, isiZulu or Sesotho-speaking learners switch to English in Grade 4, making it harder to grasp abstract concepts. By Grade 10 many schools report that from four classes, much less than half a class remains in core mathematics. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Systemic challenges further weaken progress. According to Shapiro the Annual Teaching Plan (ATP) due to a Covid-recovery approach not only prioritises pace over comprehension, forcing teachers to rush through content without cementing fundamentals, but completely leaves out essential algebraic fundamentals needed at high school.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oversized classes, under-resourced schools, inconsistent methodologies and limited upskilling opportunities further attribute to the extremely difficult conditions. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Very few teachers, if any, can solidify these foundations under the current circumstances,” said Shapiro. “They’re pouring water into buckets with holes.”\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Breaking the cycle of generational underachievement<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pamela Mudley, an education specialist with a corporate background, believes the “easy escape” of mathematical literacy and the complacency of parents deepen the problem.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Parents carry the trauma of maths and pass it on,” she explained. “When they say their child ‘isn’t a maths person’ they seal that child’s fate.”\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mudley and Shapiro agree that solving the crisis requires a mindset shift \u2013 both from parents and learners \u2013 who often see mathematics only as a subject for future engineers or scientists.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead, they argue, mathematics should be recognised as a life skill that develops problem-solving and analytical abilities, critical thinking and confidence, qualities essential for any career.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The K2U Model: Rebuilding the foundation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the heart of K2U’s methodology are five key fundamentals every learner must master:\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n