The Crowne Plaza Hotel in Rosebank hosted the launch of the Educate Matric Maths & Science Revision programme on 11 August.
Now in its 7th year, the programme is run as a national intervention to assist thousands of Grade 12s to prepare for their final examinations with free supplementary lessons utilising Ster-Kinekor cinemas as theatres of learning. Sponsors of the programme include Capitec Foundation, Sasria, Telkom Foundation and Bidvest Steiner.
Mathematics and physical science are acknowledged as two of the most important subjects in the school curriculum, not only because they provide various opportunities for further study, but they also equip youngsters with the flexible intellectual and reasoning skills.
Unfortunately, South Africa continues to trail other countries in the areas of mathematics and physical science education.
“The burning issue at hand is that there a dramatic shortage of skills in the hard sciences and if we are to transform South Africa’s business sector, we must start by educating the youth in maths and sciences,” said Primestars marketing managing director, Martin Sweet.
Schools from across South Africa, mostly based in townships and under-serviced communities, have been invited to participate in the programme with the support of the Department of Basic Education.
Youngsters are registered and transported from their schools to their designated cinema complexes and back to their schools after the screenings. Before returning, they interact with tutors present who are available to address their questions.
“Capitec Foundation is committed to supporting education initiatives that help improve learners’ performance in maths and science. We support the Primestars Educate revision programme as it improves learners’ readiness for the matric exams in an unconventional and innovative way,” said Capitec Foundation’s head, Neptal Khoza.
Participating schools have reported a marked improvement in the math and science results of their youth who have attended the programme.
Cedric Masondo, Sasria SOC Ltd’s managing director said, “The shortage of skills in maths and science-related career fields continues to limit career choices for young people in our country.
“It is therefore important that we invest in maths and science to ensure that young people are equipped with the necessary skills that will expose them to a wide variety of careers especially scarce skills which will play a huge role in the sustainable development of our economy.”
The collaboration between sponsors has proven to be a successful partnership in the past, with more than 200 000 seats having been occupied by aspiring Grade 12s wishing to improve their chances of gaining the results required to qualify to study at tertiary institutions.
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