Only 47% of the more than 2‚000 matrics who wrote the maths exams in Nelson Mandela Bay last year managed to achieve 40% or more‚ while 44% achieved the same in physical science‚ provincial government documents show.

Pupils must obtain 40% and above for maths and science to obtain university entrance.

Maths literacy‚ which was written by more than 5‚000 pupils‚ had a percentage of 63.9% achieving more than a 40% pass rate.

DF Malherbe High School was tops in maths‚ with 39 of its 40 matric pupils who wrote the exams achieving 40% or more‚ followed closely by Theodor Herzl with a 96.2% pass rate from its 26 pupils.

None of the pupils who wrote maths at Tamsanqa‚ SEK Mqhayi and DDT Jabavu high schools passed the subject. At Sakhisizwe High‚ only 6.1% achieved the 30% pass mark and only 3% scored above 40%. Only two (5.7%) out of 35 Bethelsdorp Comprehensive School matriculants made the 40% mark. At Thubelihle High School‚ only 4.2% of matrics scored above 40%‚ with 8.3% of its 24 pupils making the 30% mark.

For science‚ Grey and Collegiate Girls’ high schools’ 58 pupils each achieved an impressive 93.1% and 98.3% rate above 40% respectively. Motherwell’s Cingani High School had 76.9% of its 13 pupils pass with more than 40%.

However‚ only one of Walmer High School’s 18 matric pupils passed science with 30%‚ with none making the 40% grade. Fewer than 5% of Mzontsundu High School’s 21 pupils who wrote the science exam passed with 40%‚ while at Qaphelani High School 14 pupils yielded a 7.1% pass rate above 40%. Only 20 of Newton Technical High School’s 45 pupils achieved 40% in science.

Port Elizabeth acting district director Mphakamisi Hlekani said the results were worrying‚ but there were plans to address them.

Hlekani said teachers seen to be battling with the subject matter were also getting training and assistance from highly qualified teachers in afternoon training sessions.

Some education experts said the results painted a very worrying picture and highlighted a pressing need for the departments of Basic and Higher Education to prioritise teacher training. Others said more parents were paying up to R1 000 a month to ensure their children achieved the required 40%.

NMMU education specialist Professor Sylvan Blignaut said: “We seem to be churning out graduates in humanities more than in these fields and that has an effect on the economy”.

The principal of SEK Mqhayi in New Brighton‚ Sizile Mateta‚ said: “Maths and science have always been a problem for us‚ even before last year. Our teachers were lacking in Caps training‚ which was just a day’s training‚ and some are lacking in experience”. This training is based on curriculum and assessment policy statements (Caps) drawn up by the government.

A former lecturer at NMMU‚ who tutors privately‚ said “there are many pupils who have battled with the basics of maths – even simple adding and subtracting”.

Saying he did not consider 40% an adequate pass rate‚ the lecturer said the extent of the maths and science problem was evident in the fact that universities were now providing bridging courses to help students adapt.