The SA National Roads Agency (Sanral) has given the Free State a R30 million grant for higher education in maths, science and technology education.
Sanral says, together with the University of the Free State, it has launched a new chair in science, mathematics and technology education.
"The endowment of R30 million over five years is seed money to establish the Sanral chair to help improve the quality of teaching in these vital subjects at township and rural schools."
The project will form part of the university's School Change Project, a flagship initiative launched by the vice-chancellor, professor Jonathan Jansen.
Sanral CEO Nazir Alli says education is one of the key priorities of government. "Sanral has for many years been offering scholarships and bursaries to high school learners and university students as a way of ploughing back into the community."
He says the success of the government's National Infrastructure Plan hinges on skills dependent on mathematics and science.
"Infrastructure is critical to strengthening key value chains across our economy by advancing service delivery, bolstering job creation and expediting economic transformation.
"A major component of the National Infrastructure Plan is the construction of new roads throughout the country, including an important corridor route through Free State."
The roads agency says, given the critical role it plays in civil engineering - which in turn requires mathematics and science skills - the agency tries to equip learners with the necessary skills to enter the science, technology and engineering fields.
"By partnering with the University of Free State and establishing the chair in science, mathematics and technology education, we will help ensure South African students can measure up to international standards in the mathematical world," says Alli.
The Sanral chair will initially help to train 44 educators in mathematics and science at each of the 22 participating schools. Student-teacher interns will assist educators, and mentors will monitor progress through weekly visits.
The interns will receive financial support to pursue undergraduate studies in maths and science education. In return, they will commit to teaching these subjects for a period of four years after the completion of their studies.
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