ORT SA improves maths in Alex schools
ALEXANDRA - ORT SA's maths programme in Alexandra primary schools has made huge strides in improving the understanding of the subject in the township.
ORT SA, an educational NGO, has been lauded for its work in Alexandra. The organisation has been running a maths project in Alexandra’s primary schools for the past seven years. Dr Anusha Naidu, an external evaluator for ORT SA and CEO of E2E People Growth said, “The schools that are getting the support from ORT SA are improving in the Annual National Assessment. “You see that from the statistics, the data that’s provided. But you also are able to, and this is what we’ve picked up, see that teachers’ and learners’ attitudes to mathematics is changing. They’re more positive; they enjoy the interaction especially with the computer-based teaching. They love it.” Ariellah Rosenberg, CEO of ORT SA said, “If you take a group of a 100 children who started Grade 1, only 50 of them will reach Grade 12,” she said. “Out of this 50, only 20 will write maths and only 10 will pass maths with 30 percent and over. So that shows you the enormous need and the enormous gap that we have in this country.” At the end of each school year the organisation rewards the progress of maths and science teachers in its training programmes at a year-end function. At the award ceremony, pupils from the 12 participating Alexandra schools showed practical examples of how science and maths can be used in everyday activities. Some pupils showcased radio and microwave ovens that they had built. The organisation currently trains about 560 teachers in Gauteng and the Western Cape. Its success lies in the provision of teachers with example lessons, classroom-based coaching and support, and the use of information technology. Teboho Matli, a maths teacher at Iphutheng Primary School said, “I’ve become very confident because my learners have achieved well this year. They can even do division mentally without any help from anyone.” Sibusiso Ngubo, a maths and science teacher at M C Weiler Primary School said, “It assists us a lot. I am really grateful to be part of ORT SA.”
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