Foundation Facts
According to DBE statistics, 53% of Grade 3 pupils in 2011 did not achieve the minimum score in literacy and 66% did not achieve the minimum in numeracy,. In the same year, only 30% and 34% of students scored 40% and above in maths and science in the National Senior Certificate examination.
Against this backdrop, the Telkom Foundation forged a partnership with the Central University of Technology (CUT) in Free State to launch the Educator Mentorship and Development Programme (EMDP) to develop educators in science, technology, English and maths (STEM) and empower them to be more effective in the classroom.
The initiative was launched as a two-year pilot project involving three primary schools and 28 educators, mentored by six experienced retired educators.
The programme bore fruit in both pupil results in the subjects and educator motivation and morale. On the strength of a very positive trial, it was decided to continue with the initiative into 2014/15.
In September 2014, the project was expanded to four additional underprivileged schools in the Mangaung region of the province: Heide, Karabelo and Monyatsi primary schools and Kgotsofalo Intermediate Farm School, which collectively educate more than 2 500 youngsters. Each school was presented with learning equipment and materials, including mobile libraries, mobile science libraries, interactive whiteboards, printers, photocopiers and 3G cards for internet connectivity.
Speaking at the handover, Free State MEC for Education, Tate Makgoe, lauded the programme, saying: “Our current education system requires pathfinders and brave initiators to drive education to sky-high levels.
“Through the EMDP, teachers are able to enhance their learners’ experience in the classroom.”
CUT Deputy Vice Chancellor: Academics and Research, Prof Henk de Jager, added his thanks to the Telkom Foundation for allowing schools to step further into the world of technology. “Because of this initiative, these schools have been introduced to information technology as an addition to the curriculum never seen in the history of education in our province,” he said.
After an audit of each participating teacher to assess skills levels, training is given in computer literacy, use of libraries and enhancing teaching through visual aids. Mentors submit monthly reports on their mentees’ progress and the Foundation and CUT conduct quarterly site visits to monitor progress.
The year’s activities took the Telkom Foundation’s total investment in the EMDP to almost R9.5 million. To end-March 2015, the programme had enhanced the capabilities of 66 teachers who, in turn, had taught almost 5 000 pupils.
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