The University of the Free State (UFS) Faculty of Education recently hosted the 15th annual Family Math and Family Science Summit, marking another milestone in its longstanding partnership with the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL). 

The event, held on 3 October 2025 at the Callie Human Centre on UFS’s Bloemfontein Campus, brought together educators, funders, partner universities, and members of the Department of Basic Education to reflect on the project’s achievements and reaffirm their shared commitment to strengthening mathematics and science education in South Africa.

For UFS, the Family Math and Family Science initiative reflects the university’s deep commitment to maximum societal impact with sustainable relationships, a core value that guides its engagement with communities. By training teachers in the Free State and across the country to integrate family-based maths and science activities into the curriculum, the programme strengthens learning both in classrooms and homes. Teachers are not only trained to engage learners effectively but are also empowered to involve parents, caregivers, and communities in their children’s education – turning learning into a shared, family experience and contributing directly to regional development through scholarship and academic thought leadership.

Building responsible societal futures through partnership

The Family Math and Family Science programme forms part of SANRAL’s Science-for-the-Future initiative, which began in partnership with UFS and has since expanded to 10 other universities nationwide. Through sustained funding from SANRAL and other partners, the project has grown exponentially, reaching over 426 000 beneficiaries, including more than 5 800 teachers, 320 000 learners, and nearly 98 000 parents.

Speaking at the summit, Themba Mhambi, Chairperson of the SANRAL Board, emphasised SANRAL’s continued commitment to funding the project. “Using public funds, it is in our interest and an obligation that we ensure that this programme not only continues but that it grows in leaps and bounds. Our dedication to this programme is to ensure its success,” he said.

Prof Hester C. Klopper, UFS Vice-Chancellor and Principal, lauded the partnership as an embodiment of the university’s mission to advance knowledge for societal good. “The vision we share with SANRAL represents something remarkable in the university landscape. This initiative has touched thousands of lives across the country. And this is much more than just numbers; it is about fundamental change in how we approach maths and science education in our schools,” she said. She added that universities can no longer be “ivory towers” but must serve as catalysts for transformation by applying their research and expertise to empower communities.

Dr Cobus van Breda, Director of the programme at UFS, noted that the mission of the Family Math Project is to demystify mathematics in the early school years. “Our approach raises understanding and fosters positive attitudes through a constructivist – or engaged learning – method… one that enables rather than adds on,” he said.

Echoing SANRAL’s commitment to social responsibility, Monde Mondi, SANRAL’s Chief Human Resources Officer, highlighted the agency’s broader role in national development. “At SANRAL, we take corporate citizenship seriously. We have a duty to contribute to the communities that we serve. Companies should ensure that while they fulfil their mandatory obligations, they also take care of all stakeholders, and not just shareholders,” he said.