South African schools are being weighed down by falling mathematics pass rates. This is the finding of a report released by the SA Institute of Race Relations on education trends in schools and universities across the country.The report found that the number of children excelling in matric maths has fallen steeply, with the overall number of pupils passing maths with a mark of 70% or more falling by 30% since 2008.The dropout rate also remained "serious", with only 50% of children enrolled in Grade one getting to Grade 12.Institute spokesman Mienke Steytler said the continued decline in performance in mathematics was "extremely serious" because it affected the unemployment rate." If young people are not passing mathematics they are not skilled to take jobs and we will continue to see a growing unemployment rate," Steyler added.But the Department of Basic Education slammed the report's findings as "irresponsible", saying the decline was neither a "national disaster", nor an indication that the numbers were getting worse."At first glance this appears to be a national disaster," said department spokesman Elijah Mhlanga."However, an analysis to be published shortly paints a completely different picture of encouraging improvements."..