Parents want compulsory maths, science scrapped at MP school

Polymathic

Polymathic

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mojoman said:
Pass One...Pass All...
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"If child can show you were the toilet is, then you must pass them"
I'm paraphrasing what the education inspector told my mother who was a Jr Primary School teacher at the time.

What eventually happened years was that grade 8s had to done at the primary schools because of so kids failed in high school the high school only could cater for half the number of grade 8s that were due to come to the high school.

Needless to say the vast majority of failures came from Neighbouring rural areas whose parents would picket and blockade schools if they didn't register their kids.
 
Phylax

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mojoman said:
1

Parents prevented classes from starting, demanding the school stops forcing learners to do maths and science.​

Parents of learners at Thomas Nhlabathi Secondary School in eMbalenhle, Mpumalanga prevented classes from starting this morning in protest of compulsory maths and science subjects.

They demand that the school stops forcing learners to do maths and science subjects because they say it results in their children dropping out of school.

Learners were told to return to their homes.

Parents say classes will resume after the Mpumalanga Department of Education MEC, Bonakele Majuba has attended to their grievances.


krugersdorpnews.co.za

Parents want compulsory maths, science scrapped at MP school - LNN - Krugersdorp News

Parents prevented classes from starting, demanding the school stops forcing learners to do maths and science.
krugersdorpnews.co.za krugersdorpnews.co.za
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And here I am wanting my daughter to be challenged as much as possible.

I always tell her that doing the hard things is what builds character. Sure you will fail sometimes, sure it will cost sweat and time, but in the end, you will be much stronger...and smarter.

Doing only what is easy will make a useless and lazy human being out of you.
 
porchrat

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Some people just don't have the aptitude for Maths and Science. It's sad but true.

If the kids are hopeless at these subjects there's no point in pushing it on them. As has been suggested just replace those subjects with something more hands-on. The world needs blue collar workers just as it needs white collar workers.

Parents just mustn't expect a white collar future without Maths.
 
Kosmik

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porchrat said:
Some people just don't have the aptitude for Maths and Science. It's sad but true.

If the kids are hopeless at these subjects there's no point in pushing it on them. As has been suggested just replace those subjects with something more hands-on. The world needs blue collar workers just as it needs white collar workers.

Parents just mustn't expect a white collar future without Maths.
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Less stigma needs to be put on artisan subjects, heck they make more money than book learners :ROFL:
 
Jet-Fighter7700

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I guess driving a Taxi extremely badly does not need Maths or Science,
I guess being a Petrol attendant also doesn't need maths and science.

priorities in life.
Garden Boys and Kitchen Girls also dont need much education, all they need to know is extremely basic.

guess the ANC can tell them whatever they like and it will stick.
 
D

deweyzeph

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What's the point of even going to school if you're not going to do maths or science? Might as well not even bother.
 
konfab

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To everyone who says they must go into the trades: yes trade schools are absolutely a necessary part of dealing with the education system. However, South Africa has the option of math literacy for those who don't want to go into a white collar job. And very likely the children failing math, are actually failing math lit.
Now call me cynical, but if you cannot even pass math lit, you are either mentally retarded (which isn't the case here), chronically lazy (still don't think that is the case), or there are chronic issues at the school and homes of these children. Like the teacher not being in class, or the parents not giving a toss about their children's education. If you cannot pass math lit, you would not be able to make it in the trades.
 
D

deweyzeph

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konfab said:
To everyone who says they must go into the trades: yes trade schools are absolutely a necessary part of dealing with the education system. However, South Africa has the option of math literacy for those who don't want to go into a white collar job. And very likely the children failing math, are actually failing math lit.
Now call me cynical, but if you cannot even pass math lit, you are either mentally retarded (which isn't the case here), chronically lazy (still don't think that is the case), or there are chronic issues at the school and homes of these children. Like the teacher not being in class, or the parents not giving a toss about their children's education. If you cannot pass math lit, you would not be able to make it in the trades.
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The sad truth is that problems with maths and science begin with bad primary education, and once a bad foundation has been laid it's very very hard, if not impossible, to rectify it. I honestly believe that most kids have the ability to do very well at maths and science if given the opportunity of a decent education.
 
konfab

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What really bothers me is that there isn't one parent in this group of parents who would think: hmm, my child and other children are battling with their school work. How about I sit down with them and help them with their homework?
Unless of course there isn't a single person in that parental group who an do school level math and science.
 
TEXTILE GUY

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What the country is not hearing about from the Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, is the drop in performance in mathematics. It is one of the “gateway” subjects, subjects which are considered critical for the country’s economic growth and development.
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The deterioration in performance is also of great concern. Getting a pass (30%) may secure a diploma or university entrance but these low pass marks will not prepare students to succeed at mathematics at university level.
https://theconversation.com/why-south-africas-declining-maths-performance-is-a-worry-129563
This development runs contrary to the needs of the fourth industrial revolution, which requires highly competent graduates in the science, technology, engineering and maths areas. Strong performance in mathematics is essential for careers in computing, programming, finance and machine learning.
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One wonders about the future in SA .............
 
konfab

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deweyzeph said:
The sad truth is that problems with maths and science begin with bad primary education, and once a bad foundation has been laid it's very very hard, if not impossible, to rectify it. I honestly believe that most kids have the ability to do very well at maths and science if given the opportunity of a decent education.
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Well I am more cynical than that. I have seen plenty of kids who had all the opportunity of a decent education and still didn't bother.
 
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