In order to popularize mathematics, which is a critical subject for the success of 21st century technology-based economies, we need teachers/educators that are always sharpening their skills and tapping into modern students’ affinity for all things technological. In this study, we present empirical evidence to back how the lack of technological skills among mathematics teachers in the former Ciskei and Transkei homelands of the Eastern Cape (EC) is somehow hindering them from effectively tapping into the above-mentioned affinity, so that the teachers’ lack of technological expertise is preventing an effective presentation that could arouse the interest of today’s students in this important subject. This quantitative investigation was conducted in 120 high schools in former Ciskei and Transkei homelands in the Eastern Cape Province, considered economically the poorest and one of the underperforming provinces when it comes to national matriculation results. Purposeful sampling was employed to select a sample of 120 respondent high school mathematics teachers. Data were collected through questionnaires. It was found that the technological skills and competences of the educators in using technology as a medium to present this critical subject were far from satisfactory. The study highlights the need for the EC Department of Education to prioritize technological skill nd technological competence development training by providing mathematics educators in the region with the tools that are necessary for them to teach the subject with success by effectively tapping into students’ affinity for technology.

This study has highlighted and presented data to back how the lack of technological skills among high school mathematics teachers in an underdeveloped region in South Africa has resulted in a low rate of incorporating technology into their classroom teaching. This lack of skill among the teachers is thus poorly delivering what students need to learn in order for them to prepare to participate in the current technology-based economy.

economy, education, development, mathematics, technology.