Ramaphosa urges improved STEM education to drive economic growth

President Cyril Ramaphosa has sounded the alarm on the state of math and science education in South Africa, emphasising the need to address poor performance in these critical subjects. 

He made the remarks while delivering the keynote address at the Department of Basic Education’s Lekgotla.

The event brought together stakeholders from the education sector, under the theme “Strengthening foundations for learning for a resilient future fit education.”

Ramaphosa’s calls come on the back of a recent study by Trends in International Mathematics and Science, which revealed that South African children are struggling to keep up with their peers worldwide.

“We need to correct these shortcomings, and we need to do it now,” Ramaphosa stressed. 

“Generation Beta children will be mastering the use of AI tools for schoolwork, problem-solving, and life advice before they even reach high school. So when we speak of equipping our young people with the skills for a changing world, we are not only talking about the structure of education needing to be transformed, but its methods of delivery as well,” he added. 

The President’s sentiments were echoed by Science, Technology and Innovation Minister, Blade Nzimande, who called on black communities to shed their fear of math and science.

Nzimande emphasised that without a solid education system, South Africa’s science and technology industry will be unable to grow. 

“We need to produce learners who excel in STEM subjects. We still are not producing enough math and science learners,”  Nzimande said.

A 2019 study by Trends in International Mathematics and Science found that South African children ranked third lowest in math among 64 countries.

Basic Education Minister, Siviwe Gwarube, is meanwhile calling on the private sector to invest in basic education, saying government cannot improve the sector alone. 

Gwarube’s plea comes as government budget constraints threaten to undermine progress in the sector.

UNICEF estimates that sub-Saharan Africa requires at least six million more teachers, with South Africa needing at least 400 000 more educators to provide quality education.