Page 13 - Education Supplement February 2025

The Bigger Picture
Many parents worry that opting for Maths Literacy
will somehow limit their child’s future. But let’s be
honest — when was the last time anyone outside
of engineering needed to calculate the surface
area of a cone? Universities and employers
are increasingly looking at the overall matric
certificate, not just one subject. A solid pass in
Maths Literacy, combined with good marks in
other subjects, is far more valuable than scraping
through pure maths and carrying the stress that
comes with it.

Professor Nel puts it bluntly: “Your child’s self-
esteem and overall performance are what count.
Pushing them into subjects they aren’t wired for
does more harm than good.”

Signs That Maths Literacy Might Be the Right Choice Future-Proofing Without the
How do you know if your child should consider Maths Literacy? Here are a few Panic
telltale signs: It’s easy to fall into the trap of
• They break into a cold sweat at the sight of an equation. thinking pure maths is a must-have,
• No matter how much extra help they get, their grades stay stuck in the but success isn’t a one-size-fits-all
danger zone. deal. If your child dreams of studying
• They’re more likely to understand the maths behind their shopping budget law, journalism, or hospitality, Maths
than a quadratic function. Literacy is more than enough to get
• Their career dreams have nothing to do with engineering or finance. them there. The key is to focus on
where they shine, rather than where
Choosing Maths Literacy can ease the pressure and free up time and energy to they struggle.
focus on subjects they actually enjoy — and that might just lead to better results
across the board. Sylvia encourages parents to take
a step back and look at the bigger
picture. “Forcing a child to take pure
maths when it’s not their strength only
sets them up for frustration. Rather
focus on their talents and build from
there.”

Making the Decision Easier
Subject choices shouldn’t be made
in a panic. Take the time to talk to
teachers, tutors, and career guidance
counsellors who can provide honest
insights. Psychometric tests can
help, but they’re just one piece of the
puzzle. What really matters is finding
a balance between what your child
enjoys and what will set them up for
success.

At the end of the day, the goal is to
ensure your child finishes school
feeling confident, capable, and ready
for what’s next. So, before you insist
on that pure maths path, consider
whether it’s the best fit — or if there’s a
smarter way forward.

Education | February 2025 | 11