Telkom's mobile arm, 8ta, has - for the second consecutive year - partnered with government and corporates to help disadvantaged matric students improve their mathematics and science final results.
Together with the Department of Basic Education, BHP Billiton, Primestars and Samsung, 8ta's Educ8 Matric Maths and Science Revision programme was introduced in July last year. EduC8 involves the recording of revision sessions from a single venue, which are then simultaneously broadcast to a network of 15 digitised Ster-Kinekor theatres across SA.
The revision sessions will kick off next week Sunday, 22 July, and run until 23 September. 8ta says learners can interact with subject experts, who will be available at each movie theatre.
This year sees the project reaching three additional areas - Witbank, Richards Bay, and Kuruman. Information will be available online for learners who are unable to attend revision sessions due to their geographical locations, says 8ta.
Dire dearth
8ta points out that SA has an acute shortage of professionals in the fields of maths and science - a challenge that cannot be addressed by government alone.
8ta says last year's EduC8 sessions have already started to bear fruit. “Last year's participant, Zanele Khumalo, who attended the revision sessions at Maponya Mall, in Soweto, is on her way to Cuba on a scholarship to study medicine.”
Raising resources
BHP Billiton chairman Dr Xolani Mkhwanazi says SA needs to start at grassroots level with skills development and education if the nation is to be transformed.
“We need to change the lives and experiences of the youth for the better. Part of resourcing the future lies in recognising that our people are our greatest resource. We are nothing without talented, skilled employees. The children empowered by the EduC8 Matric Revision will be those talented, skilled employees, given the opportunity. “
Ntutule Tshenye, corporate citizenship at Samsung Africa regional headquarters, says part of Samsung's commitment is towards developing young skilled leaders in Africa. “One of our goals is to develop 10 000 electronic engineers across Africa by 2015 - and a strong maths and science foundation is critical for students who want to succeed in the engineering field.”
According to 8ta, the Sasol Inzalo Foundation and national bursary organisation Studietrust will provide at least five full-cost bursaries for qualifying applicants who attended the EduC8 Matric Revision programme.
EduC8 revision information is available online here.
Mxit announced yesterday that it too would be contributing to the bolstering of maths and science education in SA, by making curriculum-aligned and openly-licensed textbooks available to read for free over the social media platform. The interactive study platform is an initiative of local e-learning company Siyavula.
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