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The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube's efforts to encourage provinces to offer Maths as a subject in 2026 from Grade 10 in schools where it is not currently offered.

Minister Gwarube is intervening as 435 schools across the country do not offer Maths in Grade 12.

As of 2024, many schools across the country did not offer Maths to Grade 12s: an alarming 130 schools in Kwa-Zulu Natal, 85 in the Eastern Cape, 81 in Limpopo, 46 in the Western Cape, 26 in the Northen Cape, 23 in Gauteng, 17 in the North West, 13 in the Free State and 11 in Mpumalanga.

Learning the STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths) develops critical skills like logical reasoning, analytical skills and problem solving, and educates learners to play a meaningful role in large parts of the economy in the future.

We welcome the Minister’s efforts in meeting with provincial curriculum coordinators regarding these obligations and encourage provinces to ensure that all high school learners have the opportunity to exercise choice towards a full array of subjects to ensure they have a real shot at futures they value. We also join the minister in the effort of continuously advocating for foundational learning that prepares learners in their later schooling years, to undertake STEM subjects with greater ease.

Open opportunities for all, must not only apply to the world of work, but should start in the schooling environment and even earlier.

The DA will monitor implementation of this.

Issued by Ciska Jordaan - DA Deputy Spokesperson for Basic Education