JOHANNESBURG – A lack of quality teachers who are well versed in Maths and Physical Science is contributing to the slow decline in the pass rate for these subjects.
This is according to Will Burger, Mathu Society CEO, who said it would be difficult for government to close the gap without using tech like AI support and personalised learning.
Mathu Society works with young people in rural communities to boost their Maths and Science skills using AI tools.
“Teachers play a critical role. It’s adequate to have teachers that are well versed in maths and science,” Burger said.
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“We don’t have teachers in SA who are in position to help a lot. We have great teachers, but we just need more of them,” he added.
The 2025 matric results pass rate for Maths dropped to 64 percent, down from 69 percent in 2024.
The pass rate for Physical Sciences saw a modest increase to 77 percent up from 76 percent in 2024, though overall distinctions dropped, highlighting ongoing challenges in gateway subjects despite a record national pass.