South Africa’s STEM Engagement Crisis: Why Only 12% of High Schoolers Take Advanced Math

Pretoria, South Africa – South Africa faces a growing STEM engagement crisis, with only 12% of high school learners enrolling in advanced mathematics—a critical gateway to careers in technology, engineering, and data science. Ambassador Ntlathi warns that the country is stuck with “19th-century teaching in a 21st-century world.”

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Private vs. Public School Divide

The contrast between private and public schools underscores deep inequality in South Africa’s education system:

• Private schools: Robotics clubs, AI hackathons, coding competitions
• Public schools: 83% lack functional computer labs (DBE 2025)

This digital gap means township and rural learners are left behind while wealthier peers gain exposure to future-focused careers.

Making STEM ‘Cool’ Again

Several initiatives show how STEM can inspire and empower youth:

• CodeJIKA: Gamified coding rolled out in 400 township schools
• NASA Space Apps Challenge: South African student teams won prizes using satellite data for problem-solving
• GirlCode Bootcamps: Now at 50% female enrollment, breaking gender barriers in tech

These success stories highlight how innovation and accessible programs can shift perceptions and participation in STEM fields.

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Systemic Barriers to STEM Growth

Teachers and experts cite multiple obstacles holding learners back:

• Outdated textbooks, with some still referencing floppy disks
• Lack of internet access, limiting exposure to cloud-based tools and AI learning
• Conservative career guidance, steering learners toward “safe” professions instead of emerging digital opportunities

Ambassador Ntlathi urged industry partnerships to help bridge these gaps:

“Microsoft could upskill teachers faster than government.”

The Road Ahead

Without urgent intervention, South Africa risks losing a generation of innovators to outdated curricula and poor infrastructure. Expanding public-private partnerships, upgrading school tech resources, and reframing STEM as cool, relevant, and empowering are essential steps toward building a competitive digital economy.