What You Need To Know About Maths Literacy

August 29, 2022

Young girl using a calculator to her math homework

Parents! We know what you’re thinking: ‘Maths Lit’ is the new Standard Grade Maths from when you were at school. We know you are totally against the “drop” because it will put your child in a box and limit their opportunities for future careers in Rocket Science.

However, Maths Literacy is not Standard Grade Maths.

What is Mathematics Literacy?

Instead of being a watered-down version of Maths Core or Pure Maths, Maths Lit is a unique offering. It focuses on things such as calculating income tax, calculating budgets and investments, interpreting statistics, working out loan repayments and interest, and other commonplace matters that relate to figures. It’s a more practical subject that relates to the real world on a day-to-day basis.

What is Mathematics Core or Pure Mathematics?

Here learners deal with theories and concepts that aren’t necessarily experienced in everyday life. This subject focuses on algebra, trigonometry, and basic calculus. It’s the type of mathematics that studies concepts, numbers, and shapes, and the relationships between them. The basis of the subject is to teach learners to think critically when problem-solving and use a lot of abstract thinking.

University and Careers with Maths Literacy

The bottom line is that whether you take Maths Core or Maths Lit, hard work and dedication are needed; there’s no ‘get out of jail free’ card here.

You may also think it’s too early for your Grade 9 child to decide what they want to do with the rest of their lives, which will determine the subjects they must choose for Grade 10. But the hard truth is that the subject choices your children make now could affect the opportunities they have in the future.

Universities, colleges, and other tertiary education institutions have certain Mathematics requirements for the courses and qualifications they offer. It’s a good idea to investigate this as you help your child choose between Mathematics Literacy and Pure/Core Maths. When it comes to pursuing a future in STEM-related fields, Pure/ Core Maths is a minimum requirement for acceptance into university courses.

Careers that require Pure / Core Maths:

Medicine
Engineering
Economics and analytics
Genetics
Accounting
Physics
IT

If your child is more artistically or linguistically inclined, Mathematics Literacy could be the way to go. For further studies and qualifications in the arts and social sciences, Mathematics Literacy is a minimum requirement.

Careers that require Math Literacy:

Advertising and marketing
TV, radio, and film
Teaching and academia
Politics and Advocacy
Writing and publishing
Law
And more

Do your research! Whether you spend time with your child researching different career fields and the minimum study requirements for these, or if you rely on a career counselor to unlock your child’s interests and passions, make sure that the subjects your child chooses for Grade 10 will help them study what they want to after school. You may also have to assess that what they want to study is realistic for them. If you need to, seek career guidance from a professional or psychologist.

If you want to do it yourself, then there are a few local career guidance questionnaires that can be found with an online search. At Trinityhouse Schools, we understand the importance of choosing the right subjects for each student’s career path.

Trinityhouse has partnered with Yenza, a smart career platform that guides and develops individuals along a personalised pathway toward career success.

Yenza

Yenza offers built assessments that use a data-driven, integrated approach to understand the whole individual to accurately guide them toward career success. The platform has a suite of E.Q and I.Q assessments for schools, universities, and corporations and provides students with personalized guidance and recommendations to help them decide on the best career path for themselves.

Over and above the career consideration, you need to consider the well-being of your child. If your child is battling with Pure / Core Maths, and getting bad grades, this can affect their overall point score in matric, not to mention their confidence. Children who are doing well in Maths Lit may not pursue the STEM careers they hoped for, but they will get better points for university exemption and may just be happier children overall.

At the end of the day, the decision is guided heavily by who your child is and what they want to do, so take the time to learn all the facts.

Mathematics: Literacy vs Pure and Technical Maths

What's the Difference Between Pure Math and Math Lit?

Mathematics Thought Leadership: Core maths vs maths literacy

Maths Subjects

Choosing Mathematical Literacy As a Subject

Trinityhouse has partnered with Yenza

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The Joy of Numbers: Growing a Lifelong Love for Mathematics in South African Classrooms

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Celebrating multilingual education at Trinityhouse, where identity, inclusion and global readiness grow together. Experts: Samantha Nkosi, Raesetja Ntuli and Maché Piek (Trinityhouse Centurion Teachers) International Mother Language Day, celebrated annually on 21 February, offers schools across South Africa an opportunity to reflect on language inclusion, cultural diversity and identity. At Trinityhouse Schools, language education is not only about academic achievement. It is about building culturally confident, globally aware students who are proud of their roots. In the early years, language shape’s identity. When young children hear Sepedi, isiZulu, Afrikaans or their home language spoken in the classroom, they feel recognised and valued. Introducing home languages in Pre-Primary affirms cultural heritage at a critical stage of development. Children who encounter familiar words, songs and greetings settle more quickly into school life. Multilingual exposure through music, storytelling, indigenous games and augmented reality books strengthens vocabulary and builds early literacy foundations. Students explore the meaning of their names and surnames, deepening pride in their identity. When a child’s mother tongue is acknowledged, confidence grows. Participation increases. Classrooms become spaces where diversity is celebrated naturally. Early language inclusion supports emotional wellbeing and strengthens school readiness, creating confident students from the very beginning. As students’ progress through Preparatory School, continued development of home language skills alongside English strengthens academic performance. Research and classroom experience consistently show that students who maintain strong home language proficiency demonstrate improved comprehension, stronger reading skills and greater conceptual understanding. Teaching strategies such as repetition, guided group reading and small discussion circles allow multilingual students to participate without pressure. Students often explain concepts in Sepedi before bridging into English, reinforcing understanding and building academic confidence. Parents play a pivotal role in this journey. Daily reading in both English and home languages, storytelling and regular conversation strengthen vocabulary and cognitive development. A strong foundation in a home language enhances English acquisition rather than hindering it. Multilingual students develop cognitive flexibility, empathy and adaptability, essential skills in today’s interconnected world. Aligned with South Africa’s 11 official languages and a strong commitment to diversity in education, Trinityhouse continues to broaden its African language offerings. At Trinityhouse Centurion, Sepedi was introduced at Pre-Primary and Preparatory in 2019 and will be extended to Grade 8 in 2027. Offering Sepedi as a First Additional Language affirms students’ linguistic heritage within an academic setting. When students see their home language valued at high school level, it strengthens identity, belonging and pride. At the same time, multilingual students develop cultural awareness and global readiness. The Sepedi department will prepare students for the IEB National Senior Certificate examinations in their matric year. A structured academic pathway, rigorous assessment standards and active collaboration within the IEB Sepedi cluster across Pretoria and Gauteng will ensure consistency and academic excellence. Close cooperation between the Preparatory and High School departments will further support a smooth and well-coordinated implementation in 2027. Adolescence is a critical period of identity formation. Language inclusion directly influences student confidence, wellbeing and belonging. Being able to connect socially through a shared language reduces isolation and fosters community. Through Respect, Diversity and Inclusion initiatives, Public Speaking, assembly celebrations and events such as Heritage Day Fire Feast, Trinityhouse creates spaces where students celebrate linguistic pride through praise poetry, storytelling and song. These moments strengthen engagement, participation and cultural appreciation. International Mother Language Day reminds us that language is more than communication. It is memory, belonging and identity. At Trinityhouse, raising globally competitive students who are proud of their heritage means ensuring that cultural identity and academic excellence walk hand in hand.