Some 3 000 school learners discovered the fun and enjoyment of mathematics earlier this month, thanks to the Vodacom Foundation`s sponsorship of the 7th National Mathematics Week held in the Free State province.
The purpose of this annual event is to highlight the fun, utility and applicability of mathematics among South Africa`s learners. This year, it was held at the Fezile Dabi Education Resource Centre in Kroonstad from 4 to 8 September.
Vodacom Foundation`s sponsorship of the National Mathematics Week forms part of its education portfolio, and is motivated by Vodacom`s conviction that young people need to be equipped with the skills they need to meet the challenges of a highly technical and competitive global environment.
Says Monde Mama, Group Executive - Corporate Social Responsibility at Vodacom: "National Mathematics Week helps dispel the myth among learners that mathematics is difficult, abstract and only accessible to a few super-intelligent human beings. Mathematics plays a key role in many of the wonderful innovations in technology we enjoy today and this event brings the opportunity to students to experience this."
Numerous fun-filled activities, including quizzes and games, were offered to learners, all of which were designed to take the "stuffiness" out of the subject. Displays and presentations highlighted the impact of mathematics on people`s daily lives and emphasised its importance as the foundation for careers in science, technology and management.
During the course of the week, learners were taken to a Vodacom base station to see how it operates from a mathematical perspective.
Vodacom also sponsored cellphone prizes for the top three learners in the Maths Quiz in the Activity Centres, and gave each learner who attended a Vodacom-branded water bottle.
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