Decline in key subjects spells bad news for SA’s economy

9 January 2020

The number of high school students electing to take subjects vital to our economy such as Accounting, Mathematics and Physical Sciences is on a steady decline, and this should set alarm bells ringing for the Department of Basic Education and government at large.

The 2019 Schools Subject Report shows that the number of learners who write exams for the above-mentioned subjects has decline each year since 2015. Moreover, the number of learners who then go on to pass said subjects is even less. See table attached here.

The number of students taking Mathematics declined from 263 903 in 2015, to 222 034 in 2019 – with just 121 179 of those students passing the subject this year.

The number of students taking Physical Sciences declined from 193 189 in 2015, to 164 478 in 2019 – with just 124 237 of those students passing the subject this year.

The number of students taking Accounting declined from 140 474 in 2015, to 80 110 in 2019 – with just 62 796 of those students passing the subject this year.

Currently our job market is facing a huge shortage of engineers – which requires Maths and Science - and health professionals, also requiring Physical Sciences as a high school subject. While the Department of Basic Education has acknowledged the current trend occurring in these subjects, the declining figures over the last five years provide a clear indication that nothing significant is being done to change this.

The lack of improvement in the poor performance of critical aspects of our education system lays at the feet of the Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga. Indeed, the Democratic Alliance agrees that it may just be time for the Minister to step down. This move would allow for fresh minds that will help South Africa to focus on the quality of our education which can also speak to the needs of our ailing economy.

Despite massive budgetary constraints, the quality of education in the DA-led Western Cape is on the rise, with the province number one in terms of numbers of distinctions, as well as the top 3 students of the Class of 2019 all coming from Western Cape schools. This once again shows how DA governments are committed to building a South Africa that is functional and an economy that benefits all citizens.

Issued by Nomsa Marchesi, Shadow Minister of Basic Education, 9 January 2020