This is the Mathematical Literacy CAPS Document (Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement) for the Further Education and Training (FET) Phase, Grades 10-12, issued by the South African Department of Basic Education. It sets out what must be taught, learnt and assessed in Mathematical Literacy across Grades 10, 11 and 12, and is relevant for the 2026 and 2027 school years. The content covers basic skills topics such as numbers and patterns, and application topics including finance, measurement, maps and plans, data handling and probability, all taught through authentic real-life contexts.
The following document, Mathematical Literacy CAPS Document Grades 10-12.pdf, is the full document.
CAPS Document Brief
Mathematical Literacy CAPS Document Grades 10-12 kavo-045
Mathematical Literacy is defined as the subject that develops competencies enabling learners to make sense of, participate in and contribute to a world characterised by numbers, numerically based arguments and data. It uses elementary mathematical content applied to authentic real-life contexts to build skills such as reasoning, decision-making, problem-solving and resource management.
The document runs to 134 pages and is organised into four sections: Section 1 introduces the CAPS policy in general, Section 2 introduces Mathematical Literacy and its progression and weighting of topics, Section 3 sets out the content and scope of contexts per topic and grade in detail, and Section 4 covers assessment, examinations, recording, reporting, moderation and appendices on assessment taxonomy.
Mathematical Literacy aims to enable learners to become self-managing individuals, contributing workers and participating citizens in a developing democracy by applying elementary mathematical content to real-life scenarios. It emphasises solving both familiar and unfamiliar problems using a basic four-function calculator, developing a general set of skills that transcends specific mathematical content and context.
Grade
10-12
Subject
Mathematical Literacy
Phase
Further Education and Training (FET)
Curriculum
South African (CAPS)
School Years
2026 and 2027