Boy (14) empowers peers through maths

A trial run of an education assistance programme founded by an Edenvale resident to help improve maths marks in schools was hosted at JP Bezuidenhout Park on July 14.

The 14-year-old King Edward VII School (KES) pupil, Michael Ogilvie said that the peer-to-peer tutor initiative was born out of the need to do 24 hours of community service for school.

“While thinking about what I could do, my mom and myself came up with the idea to teach maths” said Michael.

Grade 8 and 9 pupils from four high schools in Alexandra attended the trial run, held at JP Bezuidenhoudt Park..

The schools were Alexandra High School, East Bank High, Kwabhekilanga and Realogile High School.

“It’s about children giving back to children. Pupils with 75 percent and higher in maths can be tutors,” said Ms Karen Ogilvie.

She said that this initiative works through the MST and she hopes it raises pupils’ performance in maths.

The idea was to allow for long-lasting and sustainable growth, said Ms Ogilvie, who works at Clever Minds.

On the day, Michael was assisted by Edenvale residents Joshua Ruthel, a fellow grade 9 KES pupil, and Jaryd White, a home-schooled pupil.

“By doing this I hope that some fear and embarrassment children have when asking teachers questions will disappear as they will be communicating with children of a similar age,” said Michael.

Mr David Silman from the department of basic education and national project manager of the Re-introduction of Maths Project (ROMP) said that the department has shown interest in expanding the project.

“This is one modality available to develop the cognitive skills in children before it’s too late. Depending on how the children respond to the initiative, the department would see it expand.”

Mr Silman said that using a peer-to-peer modality in maths can have a greater impact on children.

Tedious Mncube, Michael’s baseball coach and the person who brought the various Grade 8 and 9 pupils said that it was a good initiative.

“If it becomes continuous, it will help the children. It is easier for children to talk to children.”

Ms Ogilvie said that at the official launch of the initiative in Mpumalanga, Michael spoke in front of 49 educational personnel and explained everything to them.

“He showed an algebraic expression and when he was done, they all stood up and applauded him,” said Ms Ogilvie.

She said that after the demonstration seven schools signed up for the initiative and that the chief education specialist for Mpumalanga’s department of education, Mr Elijah Nkosi was impressed.

Ms Ogilvie, part of Magic Maths, which is a part of Clever Minds, will be supporting the costs for the learning materials and education equipment, while the actual tutor programme is free of charge.

Ms Sandy White, who is part of Magic Maths and works alongside Ms Ogilvie, said that the company will also be training teachers in order to help with the maths standard in the country.