The Department of Science and Technology (DST) has adopted 18 Dinaledi schools in which it hopes to implement the Dr Math initiative.
"We are working closely with the Department of Basic Education (DBE) in the implementation of its national strategy for mathematics, science and technology education. It is in this context that the DST has adopted 18 Dinaledi schools - two schools in each province - in reasonable proximity to science centres,” said deputy minister of science and technology Derek Hanekom in his budget speech.
Hanekom added that one of the ways in which the DST hopes to aid learners at the schools is through the Dr Math project, an initiative of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research's Meraka Institute.
Getting involved
DST spokesman Lunga Ngqengelele says support for the Dinaledi schools from the department will take two broad forms. “Firstly, it will be interventions that enhance the objectives of the 'Youth into Science Strategy'.” These interventions include enhancing science literacy, and identifying and nurturing talent and potential for science-based careers.
The second form of support, according to Ngqengelele, will be interventions to complement the work of the DBE at the schools. It will focus on the activities that contribute to enhancement of learners' performance in mathematics, science and technology.
“It is a wide range of complementary interventions, including educators' development, provision of supplementary tuition and laboratories.”
Hanekom said he has already started a programme of visits to the adopted schools in order to assess the situation on the ground and to find out how the DST can strengthen its support for them.
He added that the department is drafting a comprehensive plan for its involvement with the 18 adopted schools. This plan is at an advanced stage and, according to Ngqengelele, it can be expected by June.
The Democratic Alliance's shadow minister for science and technology, Marian Shinn, has welcomed the DST's intervention.
“The Democratic Alliance is delighted that the Department of Science and Technology has taken some of the Dinaledi schools under its wing. SA has to grow youngsters' interest and abilities in maths and science if we are to expand our reputation as a scientific knowledge powerhouse and to grow our technological skills to drive economic growth.
“Our school system has failed the current generation of youngsters in their pursuit of a better-quality education,” she says.
Adopting Dr Math
The project was initially funded as a research project by the DST, and has received support from the DBE. It will ultimately benefit more than 25 000 schools, including the DST-adopted Dinaledi schools, says Ngqengelele.
“Dr Math gives learners online assistance with their maths homework. The software has been enhanced to allow tutors to log on from dispersed locations. The Meraka Institute is in discussion with the Department of Basic Education and network operators on further expansion plans for the programme," said Hanekom.
Principal technologist at the Meraka Institute Laurie Butgereit explains that the project links primary and secondary school pupils to tutors in mathematics. “The pupils use the popular Mxit chat client on their cellphones. The tutors use full size computer workstations connected to the Internet.”
She adds that any student, up to matric-level, can contact Dr Math via Mxit and other chat protocols, such as Gmail, and MTN's Nok Nok. It is not limited to Mxit or any specific schools.
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