NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION 402
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 15/03/2013
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 08/2013)
Mr P F Smith (IFP) to ask the Minister of Basic Education:
(1) Whether, in light of reports of the countryâs human capacity
shortages, especially in the fields of science, engineering and
technology, she has assessed whether the current pass rates in
matric mathematics and science will succeed in alleviating such
human capacity shortages; if not, why not; if so, what are the
relevant details;
(2) whether she and her department have taken any steps in adding
value to meeting the mathematics and science knowledge demands
of the economy; if so, (a) what steps and (b) how is this
endeavour reflected in the relevant outputs? NW436E
REPLY:
1) My department has seen an increase in the participation and pass rate of
learners in mathematics, science and technology. It is hoped that these
learners will pursue fields in mathematics and science in higher
education and add to the human capacity shortages of the country. My
department has focused its teacher recruitment campaign on attracting
prospective mathematics, science and technology teachers. Through the
Funza Lushaka bursary programme 413 mathematics, 229 physical science, 39
information technology, 13 electrical technology and 16 mechanical
technology bursars qualified at the end of 2012 and are being placed in
schools.
2) My department has developed a national strategy for mathematics, science
and technology for GET and FET. In addition, an implementation plan for
mathematics, science and technology has been developed with set targets
(short, medium, long). The plan addresses four pillars namely:
⢠Learners participation and success rate;
⢠Teacher demand, supply and development and support;
⢠Partnerships; and
⢠Provision of resources.
The purpose is to improve learning outcomes and learner performance and
participation rate in mathematics, science and technology.