The University of the Free State (UFS) recently marked the renewal and expansion of a funding agreement between itself, the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL), and nine other universities across the country aimed at boosting Mathematics and Science education across South Africa.

An event held on the UFS Bloemfontein Campus reaffirmed SANRAL’s commitment to the Science-for-the-Future (S4F) Universities Collaboration Initiative, which fosters collaboration among institutions of higher learning, especially with regard to Mathematics and Science education.

SANRAL’s existing partnership with the UFS recently expanded from six to nine institutions: Nelson Mandela University, Walter Sisulu University, Sol Plaatje University, University of Limpopo, University of KwaZulu-Natal, University of Mpumalanga, Stellenbosch University, North-West University, and the University of Venda. The inclusion of these institutions signals the initiative’s continued growth and increasing impact across South Africa.

As a major funder of the UFS, SANRAL’s role in this initiative extends beyond financial support – it is an active enabler of academic and professional growth in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Through this renewed agreement, SANRAL ensures that educators, learners, and university students have access to the necessary resources and training to excel in these critical areas.

Prof Hester C. Klopper, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the UFS, underscored the institution’s deep-rooted commitment to partnerships that drive transformation in education.

“STEM is in demand both worldwide and in South Africa. A strong foundation in these subjects will prepare our students to be critical thinkers”, Prof Klopper said. “We at universities are faced with the issue of receiving quality learners from our education system. This shows it is critical to focus on Maths and Science to help the educational system in South Africa develop critical thinkers. If you have critical thinkers for students, we know they are equipped to face challenges and address socio-economic issues in our country.” 

The role of Science-for-the-Future (S4F)

The Science-for-the-Future (S4F) unit of the Faculty of Education at the UFS serves as a beacon of innovation in Mathematics and Science education. As a self-funding entity, S4F collaborates with various departments, including the Department of Basic Education, the Boyden Observatory, and the Naval Hill Planetarium. Its core mission is to advance effective teaching and learning strategies among teachers, learners, parents, and student educators.

The initiative addresses long-standing challenges in South African education, particularly in rural areas. Learners often underachieve due to lack of subject knowledge, insufficient teaching resources, and language barriers. Research has shown that these challenges significantly hinder performance in Mathematics and Science-related fields.

To combat these issues, S4F has developed two key programmes:

Both programmes emphasise hands-on learning and active engagement over routine memorisation. 

Scaling up for greater impact

The success of the SANRAL-UFS Schools Outreach Initiative led to the expansion of the project to other universities, resulting in the establishment of the Universities Collaboration Initiative. Initially launched with six participating universities, the project has now grown to include nine institutions, each playing a crucial role in advancing Mathematics and Science education across South Africa and, more specifically, the development of these subjects in rural areas.

Between 2018 and 2024, more than 426 000 long-term project participants, including teachers, learners, parents, educators, and facilitators, have benefited from this initiative. The increase in participation over the years highlights the project’s growing influence and success in equipping educators with 21st-century teaching methodologies.

Apart from professional development for teachers, the collaboration also focuses on project management training for universities. “We want to equip teachers and staff with the skill of project management, which we find is a scarce skill, to ensure that institutions can implement large-scale educational programmes effectively,” said Dr Cobus van Breda, Programme Director: Science-for-the-Future at the UFS, during his presentation. 

The renewal of this collaboration aligns with UFS’s Vision 130, the institution’s long-term strategy for academic excellence and community engagement, which focuses on creating meaningful partnerships that drive innovation, social impact, and student-centredness.

According to Prof Klopper, “Vision 130 comprises three components: the university being a research-led university – what we teach is based on research and drives the education agenda – student-centredness; and being an engaged university that implies there’s an impact. This project shows it is a best practice model of how impact is made.” 

Through initiatives like the S4F and SANRAL-funded programmes, the UFS is taking proactive steps to ensure that South African educators and learners are well-equipped to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving technological landscape. The project also supports the Physical Sciences ICT Laboratory Programme, which utilises digital tools and resources to enhance science education.

A future built on collaboration

The 2025 SANRAL-UFS event marked a significant milestone in the journey towards educational transformation by bringing together some of the country’s leading universities. The initiative fosters collaboration and ensures that quality mathematics and science education is accessible to all learners, particularly those from disadvantaged communities.

With SANRAL’s continued support, the Science-for-the-Future initiative is set to grow even further, reaching more educators and learners across South Africa. As the programme expands, it will continue to build capacity, equip teachers with modern skills, and inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators.