Brief
South Africa sees only 34% of matric candidates sit Mathematics exam, CambriLearn keeps 2026 fees open
CambriLearn urges parents to reconsider early subject choices as the Mathematics uptake falls to a third of matric candidates.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Only 34% of South Africa's matric candidates wrote Mathematics in 2025, according to Bizcommunity, and the choice between Mathematics and Mathematical Literacy is made before Grade 10.
What happened
At 9 a.m. on Friday 23 October 2026, the class of 2026 sat Mathematics Paper 1 alongside Mathematical Literacy Paper 1. The split between the two subjects is decided in Grade 9, when learners choose one pathway for the final two years of school.
What the reports add
Bizcommunity notes that 254,413 candidates wrote Mathematics last year, representing 34% of the matric cohort, and the pass rate fell from 69% to 64%. Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube called the low uptake a concern for the country's long‑term skills base. In February, Joy Maimela, chair of Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Basic Education, said some educators discourage learners from taking pure Mathematics to protect school pass rates and urged condemnation of the practice.
What was said
Minister Gwarube described the low uptake as a concern for the country's long‑term access to scarce skills, as reported by Bizcommunity. Joy Maimela told the same outlet that educators steering learners away from Mathematics harms their chances of tertiary study, especially for engineering programmes that require high marks.
How it came about
CambriLearn, an accredited online school that has taught more than 80,000 students since 2008, runs Mathematics on all six of its pathways and is urging parents to slow down on early subject decisions. Families enrolling for 2027 and paying the required fee by 30 November will keep the 2026 course fees. The school highlights that Stellenbosch University will only consider engineering applicants with at least 70% in Mathematics for 2027, making the subject choice critical for Grade‑9 learners.
Key facts
- 34% of South African matric candidates wrote Mathematics in 2025 (bizcommunity.com)
- Mathematics pass rate fell from 69% to 64% year‑on‑year (bizcommunity.com)
- CambriLearn will lock 2026 fees for families who pay by 30 Nov 2026 (bizcommunity.com)
- Stellenbosch University requires at least 70% in Mathematics for 2027 engineering offers (bizcommunity.com)
Sources
- [1] bizcommunity.com — originally reported as “A third of matrics wrote pure maths last year. CambriLearn is keeping it open for Grade 10”
