Problems encountered by black pupils in mathematics

M.Ed. (Curriculum Studies)Mathematics is felt to be one of the most important subjects in the school curriculum by educators, parents and society at large. As Bishop (1988: 1) puts it: "Anyone who cants to get on today, needs to study mathematics,. and preferably computing too." Diab (1987) also argues along these lines and says that mathematics has been a key subject in the school curriculum and it is still a basic ingredient in the educational make-up of a person who wishes to find his place in today's increasingly technological world. Mathematics promotes the development of the mental, social, emotional and occupational life of a person (Grove & Hauptfleisch, 1979: 228). ~ardner, et al. (1973: 18) outline the reasons why a person should learn mathematics. They argue that, inter alia, mathematics should be learned and taught at schools for the following reasons: ii) Living. Mathematics for living, refers to those aspects of mathematics which an individual must know in order to function adequately as a member of society. At primary level this clearly includes such topics as number, time, money, length and weight. More and more information is presented in statistical form and this trend will continue. An educated person must be able to evaluate and interpret such data effectively if he is to playful and useful part in society. Most people will, at some time or other, be involved with such complex activities as house purchase and insuarance..