News Article
Raise your child’s maths prowess and pass rate with online tutoring for more career options
access_time Posted on Tue, Jan 11, 2022 7:22 AM
Amongst the close to
600 000 candidates who wrote matric in 2020, a meagre 5,3% scored 60% or
more for maths. Given that the required pass rate is just 30% - something that only
125 526 candidates achieved – maths is in crisis as it is a gateway
subject for higher education and career options which are vital for any
country’s economic development and growth. It remains to be seen whether the
2021 results will be any better.
Why are so many
learners grappling with maths, often turning to maths literacy as an “easier
option”, which limits their study and vocation options? According to Gerda van
der Merwe from the online Maths tutoring platform, YouCanDoMaths, there are various myths surrounding maths as well
as poor practices that affect a learner’s ability to pass with higher marks. Fortunately,
this can be rectified with the correct support and help.
“The truth is that to
do well at maths, learners need to practice and, not just at exam times.
Attending only maths classes at school is often not enough time for most
learners to grasp key concepts. Big classes mean less teacher-learner time and
unfortunately the pandemic has resulted in even less class time which further
impacted learners’ access to teachers. Many would benefit from extra time to
revise lessons and absorb key theories at their own pace,” says Van der Merwe.
Now 10 years old,
YouCanDoMaths has taught over 17 000 learners, from grades 7 to 12. This
affordable online maths tutoring platform uses teaching materials in both English
and Afrikaans. Its lessons, which consist of teaching videos, notes and
multiple tests with worked out answers, are fully aligned to the CAPS
curriculum for NSC and IEB.
“We are now well and
truly in the 4IR (fourth industrial revolution) and learners who graduate from
high school today will be required to have a firm grip on coding, robotics, AI (artificial
intelligence) and advanced technologies. These learning areas are all
fundamentally built on mathematical principles such as calculus, statistics and
algebra. Without a good maths pass, learners can have a major disadvantage down
the road,” says Van Der Merwe.
With unemployment
figures shooting through the roof in South Africa, this is not a rosy picture.
But while it cannot be addressed in totality through a focus on enhanced maths
skills development at schools, it can certainly help. To put this in
perspective, by this year alone (2022) more than 75-million
jobs will have disappeared and will be replaced by 133-million new types of
jobs. Maths is often at
the heart of the latter.
“Skills in mathematics
are going to be more in demand than ever going into the 4IR, but we as a
country are simply not ready to meet the demand,” says Van Der Merwe.
“Education is a
process, not an event. This is particularly true with maths as it is a subject
which builds on previous knowledge and learners need time to absorb and
reinforce concepts. You CAN do maths, but don’t leave it until the 11th
hour to get help,” says Van Der Merwe. “As the world-famous golf player Gary
Player once said of his successes, ‘The more I practice the luckier I get’. The
same is true for maths; the harder you practice the better you will do.”
As we start the New
Year, parents and learners alike are encouraged to understand the gravity of
getting maths right from the start in order to pass with far more than the minimum
rate of 30%. This minimum will not guarantee them a place at a university or
any other tertiary education institution of their choice.
“Of course, not
everyone is entirely maths-geared, but the YouCanDoMaths online tutoring has
proven to be an effective way to increase your child’s prowess. Learners do
lessons related exactly to what they learn in school, at times that work best
for them and at their own pace. Further, there are perceptions that extra maths
lessons are expensive; YouCanDoMaths makes learning more cost-effective as
basic monthly rates are equivalent to the standard hourly rates charged by many
suppliers of extra maths.
Schools and tutor
centres also have the opportunity to buy subscriptions in bulk at a reduced
cost. Teachers and tutors can register their classes and have access to the
progress reports of all of their learners.”
With 10 years under
its belt, YouCanDoMaths is a leading and trusted online institution that has
helped thousands of learners gain a better understanding of maths.
For more information,
prices and to register for immediate access, visit www.youcandomaths.co.za.