There is a huge stigma attached to Maths Lit learners, however it is unfounded.

Many learners (and even some teachers) believe that if a learner can’t do Maths, they are dumb or just don’t put the effort in. Therefore, then they must go to Maths Lit to skate through since it is so easy. Again, this is untrue!

I am sad to say that as a former high school Maths teacher, I used to have these misconceptions! That is, until two events happened:
1) I took a little bit of time to investigate what is taught in Maths Lit
2) I did not know how to fill out a tax return and got “schooled” by a Maths Lit learner.

Nothing is as humbling as when someone you essentially look down upon helps you to do something that you are unable to do yourself!

I have now found out, after being in the schooling system for some years, just what kind of learners there are in the Maths Lit class. There are learners that are just lazy and could not be bothered to work. These give the rest of the class a bad name. There are many learners however, that have good intelligence and are in the Maths Lit class for differing reasons.

I knew a learner on 50% that changed from my Maths class to Maths Lit 3 days into her Matric year. She knew what she wanted to do with her life and abstract maths was not necessary for it. In moving to Maths Lit, she could put in a little less work and obtain much better results. This also meant that she could spend more time on her other subjects to improve them. A total win all around!

I have known learners who went to Maths Lit from the beginning of Grade 10 and have achieved great things, such as starting their own successful clothing line, becoming an international performer, start a cake empire or even become a really awesome parent.

So next time you think that Maths Lit learners are beneath you, DON’T!