Minerva Secondary School principal, Nontsikelelo Tsatsi has lauded the establishment of the Maths and Science Academy for Alexandra Schools (MSAAS).
Tsatsi said that one of the things she liked most about the project was that it was targeted at the Grade 10s because this is when pupils are exposed to subject choices.
She added, “By starting with additional support for pupils at this level and moving with them to Grade 12, this project gives us the greatest chance of improving our results in these subjects.”
Project director for transformation and growth at the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA), Matsoso Tsoaeli, said one of the key things this project was working on was alleviating ‘maths anxiety’ in schools.
She said studies have revealed that when pupils are confident in maths and their abilities, they are less willing to take the easier option of maths literacy and do better in tests and exams.
“This seems to be working. At Minerva, we are already seeing a difference in the confidence of these pupils in our classrooms. They cooperate better and are more willing to interact in class. In addition, we are also seeing a change in attitude around these ‘difficult’ subjects in the handful of pupils in the programme. It is my hope that these students will become leaders and help change their peers’ attitudes to help remove the idea that subjects like maths and accounting are ‘monsters’,” Tsatsi said.
Tsatsi added that she was excited about the second term exams, as this will give schools the first true indication of how pupils have improved – compared to the marks they achieved in the first term.
She also praised the four teachers who selflessly give up their Saturdays to assist these pupils and added that their performance and commitment is a telling factor in their ability to bring these subjects across in an easy and understandable way.
