South African Mathematics Foundation hopes to solve the equation of maths learning
JOHANNESBURG – Despair at the mere mention of the word maths could soon be a thing of the past.
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The mere mention of the word mathematics conjures up struggle and despair among many people, not just in Alexandra, but countrywide.
With South Africa being listed as a non-performing 144 out of 144 country statuses for maths standards, according to the World Economic Forum, there is a need for drastic intervention.
Most schoolchildren in South Africa learn mathematics in a second or third language and this causes an immediate barrier to understanding.
Numerous utterances, media articles and seminars have debated and discussed language as a key weak point for mathematics, but nothing has effectively been done until now.
All this despair could be a thing of the past as the My Maths Buddy One Book One Learner Project, an initiative of the South African Mathematics Foundation (SAMF), comes into the picture.
The project is unique and has successfully been workshopping for more than two years and both mathematics teachers and schoolchildren can vouch for the efficient and powerful My Maths Buddy maths dictionary which has raked in a consistent 5 to 20 per cent average increase in results in the space of one term.
Dictionaries are under-utilised powerful resources. A proper and effective maths dictionary can and does change the lives of schoolchildren for the better. Through the effective introduction to its use and potential, thousands of pupils across South Africa could soon find out its magical power.
Details: Paul Sondergaard 081 403 9771; paul@1book1learner.org
Edited by Stacey Woensdregt
Read: Africa Check: Afrikaans schools produced 16% of SA’s maths distinctions – not 88%
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