The Deputy Minister of Basic Education, Dr Reginah Mhaule, has advised a team of Mathematics subject advisors to challenge misconceptions that suggest that Mathematics is a difficult subject, which discourage learners from following Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) careers. Deputy Minister Mhaule made her plea during the official opening of the Senior Phase and Further Education and Training (FET) Mathematics workshop designed to capacitate subject advisors in Data Handling and Probability, a key concept in the Mathematics curriculum. The workshop, aimed at strengthening teachers' content and pedagogical knowledge, took place at the Garden Court OR Tambo in Johannesburg from 8 to 11 September 2026.
The workshop was initiated and championed by the honorary professor of Statistics at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Professor Delia North in partnership with Professors Pip Arnold and Christine Franklin from the University of Aukland (New Zealand) and University of Georgia (USA) respectively. These professors are undoubtedly renowned world leaders in Statistics Education with expertise and extensive experience in secondary school and university teaching. The professors offered their time and expertise to the Department of Basic Education (DBE) free of charge, a feat par excellence worthy of appreciation!
The topic of Data Handling and Probability not only spans the entire Mathematics curriculum in the schooling phase, but it is also generally perceived by teachers and learners as challenging. Of the importance of this topic Professor North said: “We are now in the data age, and every learner should be equipped with the analytical skills to interpret graphs, tables and data-based statements disseminated in the media. Our learners should meet the demands of the modern world, which is data driven. As a result, learners will be required to become data savvy in the job market, to reduce unemployment in the country”. Understanding data-based arguments is not only for employment but needed by every citizen.
The structure of the workshop was designed to cover unplugged and plugged approaches. The first part of the workshop handled mathematical concepts without any technology, albeit still practical and using real life examples. The profile of the Springboks (rugby players): their birth dates, height, caps, and positions they played, were all beautifully blended into activities that brought statistical skills home to the workshop participants. The second part of the workshop employed software and laptops (plugged). Unplugged approaches emphasized the fact that all schools and all learners, including rural, less-resourced contexts and without connectivity, can fully and meaningfully participate in Mathematics. The plugged approaches showed how we could employ available digital skills to advance mathematical concepts.
Speaking during the workshop, Mr Phillip Dikgomo, Director for Teacher Development and Implementation, said that “the involvement of subject advisors in this workshop will ensure that teachers are properly capacitated to improve both participation and success rate in Mathematics. In addition, the rich and well-crafted manual will be accessible to teachers and other advisors through the DBE website, the Online Teacher Development platform”. He indicated that Mathematics and Mathematical Literacy are two crucial subjects. The latter contains concepts like taxation and foreign exchange, which empower all school leavers to have functional and numerical skills necessary for everyday life. There is nothing wrong with the purpose and substance of Mathematical Literacy, as long as it is not used to pull learners away from Mathematics, he added.
All in all, the Data Handling workshop was well received by the subject advisors from all provinces, a real eye-opener on effective methodologies. The Deputy Minister emphasized that Mathematics should be promoted as an enjoyable subject, and not a subject to be avoided. She said she was confident that participants will return to their respective provinces, highly empowered and ready to spread the gains of this crucial capacity-building programme.