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Grade 6 Maths South Africa 2025: A Third of Pupils Still Failing
A hard lesson in the numbers
South Africa’s education system is facing a major hurdle. The Department of Basic Education confirmed that more than 30 percent of Grade 6 pupils failed Mathematics in the first term of 2025. The figures, presented to Parliament this week, underline just how far the country remains from its long-term goals.
The latest results reveal that fewer than 70 percent of learners managed to score 50 percent or more in the subject. This means that nearly a third of children are falling short of the minimum competency level expected at their stage of schooling.
Missing the 2030 target
The National Development Plan calls for nine out of ten pupils in Grades 3, 6, and 9 to reach at least 50 percent in literacy and numeracy by 2030. This benchmark is considered essential for preparing young South Africans for a modern economy.
Despite some progress in international maths and science assessments before the pandemic, domestic results suggest that momentum has slowed. The current Grade 6 maths performance shows just how wide the gap remains.
Why teacher qualifications alone are not enough
Officials noted that the problem cannot be solved simply by producing more teachers with advanced qualifications. In 1990, just over half of South Africa’s teachers were certified. Today, more than 90 percent are, yet learner performance in maths remains stubbornly poor.
The Department argued that classroom support, curriculum quality, and effective teaching methods matter just as much as paper qualifications.
Steps being taken
To address the challenge, the Department has launched centralised training for foundation and intermediate phase maths teachers as part of its Mathematics, Science and Technology strategy. All nine provinces have drawn up implementation plans with specific targets for critical grades.
These initiatives are designed to strengthen teaching quality, boost learner participation, and gradually improve results across the system.
Why this matters for families
Mathematics is not just about passing a test. It influences learners’ progress through school, shapes their career choices, and equips them for jobs that demand problem-solving and technical skills.
With one in three Grade 6 pupils still failing maths, the pressure is on parents, teachers, and policymakers to ensure progress accelerates before 2030.
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Source: The Citizen
Featured Image: Pexels
