The pass rate for Ordinary Level Mathematics has been going down over the past four years except in 2021 when it went up slightly.
Zimbabwe School Examination Council (ZIMSEC) spokesperson Nicholette Dhlamini told the Chronicle that from 2019 to 2022, the Maths pass rate has been below 20 percent.
On 03 February 2023, ZIMSEC released the November 2022 results showing that only 28 percent of candidates obtained five Ordinary Level passes or better in all the subjects. Said Dhlamini:
For the past four years, the pass rate for mathematics, excluding that for private candidates, has remained at slightly below 20 percent.
In 2019; 19,23 percent of public candidates passed O-level Mathematics and the figure went down to 18,21 in 2020 and slightly up to 18,71 percent in 2021. In 2022; 18,03 candidates passed Mathematics.
Failing to pass Mathematics has reduced the chances of many young people enrolling at tertiary institutions.
The founder of Girls in STEM Trust Victoria Nxumalo said people should first understand the application of Mathematics to everyday life rather than making it a theoretical model that has no connection to what humans do. She said:
People use Maths every day, in their homes, consciously or unconsciously. It’s practical, particularly in the early grades.
These grades are crucial in that they are the foundation of Maths. If the foundation is not laid out properly, the learner will struggle with the subsequent build-up to higher levels of Maths.
Prior knowledge is crucial and teachers have neglected that learners come with this knowledge, through the traditional games that they play at home.
Concepts such as the value of digits can be learned from Ara Wuru (the learner counts the number of boxes); Gwini is the basis of sets, which consequently leads to multiplication.
Sharing, division, and fractions are exemplified in the use of snotty apples (uxakuxaku).
Time, money, and change are done on a daily basis at home where the learner transacts in these concepts.
Patterns that kids draw at home are the basics of the principles of coding.
Joel Munetsi who has been a Mathematics teacher ever since he was in Form Four in 2004 said some people have a bad attitude towards the subject. He said:
There are myths that need to be dealt with before anyone attempts Mathematics because this subject is very crucial in helping us face challenges in life, I mean our lives are closely linked to Mathematics.
I often advise my clients to take it easy as some panic to the extent of failing to answer all questions within the allocated time.
I have also taught Mathematics at more than 10 schools as a teacher and have noted that it’s all about attitude. Once that changes anyone can easily pass Mathematics at whatever level.
I am currently privately tutoring Mathematics with international students and the rule remains, with constant practice, Mathematics is so basic and can be easily applicable to our everyday life.
Its the way Mathematics is taught under the British system of education that is not learner friendly. We should adopt the American approach that is easy to grasp. If you fail Mathematics in Zimbabwe you will pass in America. And diet also affects our grasp of Mathematics. Our staple diet is of sadza is too heavy and delibilitating to the mind. After consuming sadza, especially during lunch at Boarding school, you doze through the afternoon Maths lessons.
Zimsec O Level Maths Green Books are available for 2014-2019 June and November. Compiled with answers by Veteran Mathematics Educator, Salanny Mhlanga. He is the former Head of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at Individual Tuition Centre. Contact 0712577243. You won’t go wrong here! ATTITUDE is key in Mathematics. “Some students give up before they even try,” said Mhlanga.