SowetanLive reports that a matric pass in maths literacy carries so little weight that even a matriculant who passed with flying colours cannot get into artisan programmes at any of the 50 technical and vocational education and training (TVET) colleges.  

Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande advised on Thursday:  "It is critical that in order to be accepted into an artisan training programme, learners must have passed mathematics with a minimum mark of 50% and a pass in [physical] science"  He said matriculants without the required 50%, but who did maths in school and want to become artisans, could register for a foundation course called the Generic Trade Preparation Programme as offered at the National Artisan Development Support Centre.  But, those with maths literacy are excluded from the programme.  Mugwena Maluleke of the SA Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) commented:  "Our position has always been that it's important for schools to encourage learners not to do maths literacy but to do mathematics.  Clearly, it is not taking learners anywhere."

• Read this report by Bongani Nkosi in full at SowetanLive

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