Report of panel of Maths experts

Report of the Ministerial Panel established to review the Grade 12 NSC Mathematics Examination Papers of Nov '08

Introduction

The Minister of Education, Ms Naledi Pandor, announced at a meeting of the Committee of Education Ministers on 12 Jan '09 that a panel of mathematics experts would be constituted to provide advice on the standard of the Senior Certificate Mathematics examination papers of November 2008.

This request arose after criticism of the standard of the mathematics examination papers by two different groups. The first was from a group called the Concerned Mathematics Educators (CME) who released a press statement on 5 Jan '09 claiming that the November examination papers were "watered down" and that the "standard of the Mathematics exam for 2008 had dropped to an unacceptable level".
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CME's Response
Maths papers were indeed
watered down !
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Our recommendation is that the optional Maths Paper 3 be made compulsory and most
of the higher level questions of Paper 1 and Paper 2 should be shifted to Paper 3.
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OBE is a failure, but how do we put things right?
" Rote learning has been unjustifiably condemned. Proper recognition must be given to, and opportunities provided for rote learning - multiplication tables, poetry, spelling, memory development and training." Click here to read more

It is enormously gratifying to educators that we finally have the beginning of a
serious national debate about education in South Africa ..................
Peter Kallaway - Emeritus Professor of Education, UWC - Research Associate, UCT
Former advisor of the MEC for Education in the Western Cape Click here to read more

New findings show schools are turning out millions of illiterate and innumerate teenagers, and point the finger at the education system Click here to read more

"OBE MUST GO BACK TO DRAWING BOARD"
"Varsity students can't read" Click here to read more

The final pilot phase of the NBTP is a damning indictment of the implementation of OBE and raises questions about the validity of National Senior Certificate (NSC) results. Click here to read more

Is the National Senior Certificate still an indicator of potential success at university ? Click here to read more

'Inflated matric results' created unjustified expectations Click here to read more

No real improvement in Mathematics education in South Africa
Our letter to the National Department of Education: Click here to read more

FHSST in partnership with The Shuttleworth Foundation has made online Grade 10, 11 & 12 Maths textbooks freely available to all South African learners. These textbooks are based on the new FET curriculum preparing learners for the new National Senior Certificate.
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Email info@mathsexcellence.co.za

Postal Details
Maths Excellence
PO Box 300
Rondebosch
7701

To improve the standard of Maths education and make maths more accessible to ALL South African learners. We have established a network where we as professionals, can debate issues that affect us and the learners we teach; exchange ideas and resources; and become an effective pressure group for change - in this we have also established a dedicated mathematics website to achieve this goal.