Maths requirement dropped for minority language teachers

The government scrapped the mathematics requirement for teacher trainees specializing in minority languages such as Tonga, Venda, and Kalanga, effective from the first semester of 2026. Higher and Tertiary Education Minister Fredrick Shava announced the special dispensation, which applies to all primary teacher training colleges. The decision comes amid a shortage of teachers for languages such as Tonga, Venda, and Kalanga, which are taught in primary schools. Some educators argued that the maths requirement was a barrier to entry and that the change could boost enrollment, while others warned that the quality of instruction might suffer, and the move is part of a broader effort to preserve minority languages. The core vulnerability is that lowering standards may compromise the quality of teacher training, even as the government attempts to address linguistic diversity in education, and the long-term impact on student outcomes remains to be seen, with critics questioning whether the change will actually increase enrollment.