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Tomorrow thousands of Grade 12 learners will write their Mathematics 1st paper as part of their matric exams. The outcome of their efforts could not be more important for the future of South Africa. That is because, if young people want to enter into highly skilled professions that will develop our country – such as engineering, accounting and science – they need to achieve good mathematics results. Up to now, we have produced a tragically low number of mathematically capable learners who can help raise the potential of the nation.

According to the Global Competitiveness Report, South Africa ranks 138th out of 142 countries in terms of math and science education. In virtually every Trends in International Math and Science Study (TIMSS) that South Africa has participated in, we have ranked last for math education.

In 1999, some 1,318,932 children attended Grade One. Last year, this class wrote their matric exams, but only 9,525 of them earned the distinction in mathematics that is required for a career in science, engineering and medicine. That means that less than 1 percent children who enter our education system come out equipped to study subjects that are necessary for national advancement.

That is why South Africa has 1 engineer for every 3,166 people, while Brazil has 1 per 227 and India one per 157. And the total number of civil engineers working for local authorities has declined by half over the last twenty years.

This goes some way to explain why our economic growth rate is just over 3% and Brazil’s and India’s are estimated to be 5.5% and 8.1% for 2011 respectively. If our economy is to grow at 8% -- the level required to create jobs at scale -- it will require a revolution in our education system in general, and mathematics and science teaching in particular.

This means thinking differently about our approach to education. Government needs to consider bringing back retired mathematics teachers, extending the age of retirement and providing special incentives for mathematics teachers. And it should aggressively recruit mathematics and science teachers from other countries to fill our gap of quality teachers in these crucial subjects.

The DA wishes our Grade 12 learners the best as they tackle their maths exams tomorrow. For South Africa to achieve its goals, our learners need to achieve theirs.