For many learners, extra Maths support outside the classroom remains out of reach, particularly when tutoring and other learning opportunities are not readily accessible. Through its partnership with PPS, Advantage Learn is helping close this gap by widening access to structured Maths support and resources.
Schools are already working within a system where the need for Maths support is significant. The Department of Basic Education continues to identify Maths as an area requiring attention, while the TIMSS 2023 results show that, although South Africa’s Grade 9 Maths score improved from 389 to 397, it remained well below the international centre point of 500.
These results point to a deeper challenge, with many learners still struggling with the foundational Maths knowledge they need to engage confidently with more advanced concepts as they progress through school.
James Lees, CEO of Advantage Learn, says improving Maths results is about more than what happens during a lesson. “Teachers remain at the heart of improving these outcomes, but they cannot be expected to provide unlimited individualised support to every learner. Curriculum-aligned digital resources can complement work done in the classroom by giving learners the resources they need to practise and revisit concepts they haven’t mastered at home.”
Advantage Learn’s app is an example of this approach at scale. It currently supports more than 10,000 learners annually across more than 60 schools and organisations, with more than 2,000 video lessons and 700 worksheets covering CAPS, IGCSE and Cambridge curricula. Advantage Learn reports an average 17% improvement in results among learners using the platform.
The partnership with PPS is extending access to these resources. PPS members can access a range of benefits, including Maths, syllabus-aligned exam preparation, further Studies and NBT preparation, all in one app. In addition, members receive discounts on these offerings throughout the year, and access is extended to multiple users.
PPS’s involvement also demonstrates how professional organisations and the private sector can contribute to widening access to educational resources, alongside the work being done by schools and teachers.
Turning practice into participation
The Department of Basic Education’s 2025/26 Annual Performance Plan acknowledges that many learners are progressing through school without mastering foundational Mathematics skills, with these gaps accumulating over time. It also recognises the role of digital tools and collaboration across the education sector in strengthening teaching and learning.
The PPS-sponsored Quest For Your Best competition adds an incentive for learners to make regular practice part of their exam preparation. Running until 31 October 2026, Grade 8 to 12 learners can earn points by completing lessons, quizzes and assignments, with R80,000 in prizes available.
Feedback from learners shows that the competition has made exam preparation both motivating and engaging. Katleho Taunyane says: “I am really enjoying Quest For Your Best because the competition pushes me to achieve the best I can. With a variety of quizzes and constant feedback, I can identify mistakes and continue improving in topics I find challenging.” Okuhle Malaza adds: “Honestly, it is the best way to study for finals. Advantage Learn turned boring revision into fun lessons.”
“Partnerships that widen access to additional learning support can complement what happens in the classroom. The main role of Advantage Learn’s platform is to give learners more opportunities to practise, revisit concepts they have not yet mastered and take greater ownership of their learning,” says Lees.
About Advantage Learn
Advantage Learn is a South African distance education provider dedicated to helping learners from Grade 8 to Grade 12 excel in Mathematics, Science and beyond. Through innovative learning solutions, they support learners, parents and educators with high-quality resources that bridge the gap between school and further educational opportunities and career paths.
Their educational resources include National Benchmark Test (NBT) preparation, Further Studies (Advanced Programmes), Exam Preparation, and the Neo Series.
Beyond its commercial programmes, Advantage Learn’s focus on widening access extends through its broader educational partnerships and the Advantage Learn Foundation. Through the Engen Maths & Science Schools programme, it supports Grade 101-2 learners in Maths and Physical Sciences, while its selection for the 2026 Injini Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship is helping to improve access to inclusive education technology for marginalised learners, including those in rural areas.
