Chemical Engineering lecturer in the Extended Curriculum Programme, Dr Moses Basitere, was one of the researchers working on a recent analysis of high school Mathematics.
Together with University of Limpopo’s Prof Sylvia Ramaligela he delivered their findings at a Seminar on the Comparability of Mathematics against Technical Mathematics and Physical Sciences against Technical Sciences recently hosted on Bellville Campus.
This year is the first time matriculants at Technical High Schools write examinations in Technical Mathematics and Technical Sciences but there is not yet a directive on whether they would be accepted as students into universities of technology.
Umalusi had commissioned an appraisal of Technical Mathematics versus Mathematics at the beginning of last year, followed by a comparative analysis.
The analysis showed that Technical Mathematics and Mathematics were comparable with some learners deeming the former more difficult than the latter.
“We found that certain sections which were not in Mathematics were added to Technical Mathematics and of those sections, the majority of them was what we cover in first year Mathematics in Engineering at University.
“It isn’t necessarily taught to a greater depth, it’s just that to some extent,” said Basitere.
The debate became more complicated when it was realised that the Technical Mathematics curriculum was designed to be taught to learners who want to enter TVET Colleges.
“We challenged this and said it would be an injustice to leaners. What are you saying? Even if you get 100% on the paper you will never set foot in a university of technology,” asked Basitere.
“Basically the one has slightly more depth than the other, especially in Grade 12, but they cover everything so it’s was like going back to higher grade and standard grade,” said Basitere.
Comparing Technical Science with Physical Science provided a clear difference between the two subjects as the former did not cover any chemistry and lacked some of the depth of the latter.
Going forward the presentations will be made to Universities South Africa (formerly known as Higher Education South Africa) which will make a decision on how to deal with the admission to universities of technology of learners who studied Technical Mathematics and Technical Sciences.
Written by Theresa Smith
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