Dropping pure maths welcomed by some, ‘unforgivable’ to others
Those for the move note that the current ‘combination rule’ disadvantages pupils studying accounting who do not do well in pure maths
The Department of Basic Education’s plan allowing pupils in the higher grades to drop pure maths as a compulsory subject has been met with mixed reactions, with one critic saying it amounts to lowering of standards to push up the pass rate. However, those in support of the idea said the plan was much needed and should have been introduced earlier. The department has gazetted the proposed change to The Schools Act for public comment. According to the department, the rationale for the proposed changes is that the current system, which prevents pupils who study maths literacy from taking accounting as a matric subject, disadvantages those who may want to pursue other professions linked to accounting. These include administration‚ marketing and bookkeeping that do not require advanced maths skills. The proposal does not amend university entry requirements for business and chartered accounting degrees. If a pupil wanted to study for a BCom in accounting, or for a degree in finance and ta...
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