| The dire shortage of suitably
qualified maths teachers in South Africa was addressed
by Sasol and the Department of Mathematics and Applied
Mathematics. Sasol, in conjunction with the Department,
recognized the plight of vast numbers of under-prepared
Further Education and Training (FET) mathematics learners
in the Eastern Cape and launched a comprehensive mathematics
development programme six years ago. Since its launch
the Govan Mbeki SASOL Mathematics Programme has hosted
a mathematics Olympiad competition for Grades 3,5,7,9
and 11; a professional upgrade programme for FET Mathematics
educators; a Grade 12 incubator school for prospective
SET students; various problem solving workshops for educators
as well as workshops focusing on the use of technology
to enhance the teaching and learning of maths.
Some innovative new ideas to improve this project were
announced for 2007, such as the interactive maths DVD,
produced by the SMATE team at NMMU. Sasol has sponsored
the GMSMDP since its inception in 200l.
The Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics
also launched the Volkswagen Science and Maths Incubator
School Project in 2007 designed to identify and nurture
future FET educators in these subjects.
The incubator school is aimed at Grade 12 learners who
have been identified as prospective science and maths
educators. A group of 40 physical science students and
60 maths students in grade 12 in schools in Mandela
Bay have been identified as future educators and offered
places at the incubator school. They will be exposed
to standardized lectures in either maths or science
designed to prepare them for the Bachelor of Education
degree at the university.
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