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Advancing innovative, effective mathematics and science teaching

12 October 2022 | Story Anthony Mthembu | Photo iFlair Photography

Attending the Science for the Future (S4F) summit in the Centenary Complex on the Bloemfontein Campus were, from the left: Back: Dr Cobus van Breda (S4F Programme Director), Amaria Reynders (S4F Family Math Manager), Dr Glynnis Daries (Sol Plaatje University), Prof Francis Petersen (Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS), Tarin Roberts (Nelson Mandela University), Adolph Tomes (Acting Chief Executive Office, SANRAL). In the front are, from the left: Prof Angela James (University of KwaZulu-Natal), Heidi Harper (General Manager Skills Development, SANRAL), Prof Jogymol Alex (Walter Sisulu University).

Teachers from across the country and representatives of six other universities recently gathered at the University of the Free State (UFS) to celebrate the achievements of the Science-for-the-Future (S4F) Teacher Professional Development programmes as well as the successful collaboration between the UFS and other universities.

The Science-for-the-Future unit in the Faculty of Education hosted a summit in the Centenary Complex on the Bloemfontein Campus on 30 September 2022. The Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS, Prof Francis Petersen, delivered the keynote address at the summit. Representatives from the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) – the official sponsors of the Science for the Future initiative – were also present, along with 300 teachers and representatives from the Department of Basic Education.

In his welcoming address, Prof Patrick Mafora, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Education, said the initiative exemplifies the UFS’ institutional goals, such as increasing our contribution to local, regional, and global knowledge. It also supports development and social justice through engaged scholarship.

Improving the quality of teaching and learning for Math and Science

Dr Cobus van Breda, Programme Director of S4F and Project Manager of the Universities Collaboration initiative, provided background regarding the programmes and stated that “… we know from research that there are many factors that prevent learners in rural areas from excelling in Mathematics and Science. These include subject content knowledge, lack of teaching resources at school and at home, along with a lack of parental involvement, among others.” He said the project aims to address the challenges related to Mathematics and Science teaching and learning in the country. One of the ways in which this goal can be accomplished, is by empowering teachers and learners with the necessary tools, including resources and knowledge, to create a successful learning space for Mathematics and Science. “Our mission is the advancement of innovative and effective Mathematics and Science teaching and learning,” he indicated.

Representatives from the DBE and other institutions were also given the opportunity to highlight the impact of the initiative in their respective institutions. “Our public schooling system, especially in poor and rural areas, is in crisis – more especially in the Eastern Cape. This is due to a lack of learning support and a lack of sufficient skills. This created a need for innovative, sustainable, and tactical solutions to improve the quality of teaching and learning for Math and Science. The Science for the Future initiative is exactly that,” explained Prof Jogy Alex from the Walter Sisulu University.

Making a difference and changing people’s lives

During his keynote address, Prof Petersen indicated that he preferred the word ‘co-creation’ instead of ‘collaboration’, and he urged the “sponsors not only to contribute funding, but really contribute towards the intellectual project of this programme”. Surely, they have learnings and some ideas that can strengthen and expand the project, he said. Prof Petersen also alluded to the fact that SANRAL contributes towards a Research Chair in Science and Mathematics Education in the Faculty of Education, as well as the fact that, at the university, “we don’t exist to create knowledge for the sake of knowledge; we exist to create knowledge so that the knowledge can make an impact”. He referred to the project as an example of how knowledge is converted to practical application.

Mr Adolph Tomes, Acting Business Operations Executive at SANRAL, also commended the initiative and its impact. “Although we as SANRAL are the funders and we get praise for being funders, this is a phenomenal project, and it is making a difference and changing people’s lives.”

News Archive

“Deploy your education and not connections,” Chancellor tells graduates

2012-05-16

Qwaqwa Autumn Graduation
Photo: Thabo Kessah
16 May 2012

Our Qwaqwa Campus conferred 424 degrees, diplomas and certificates at this year’s autumn graduation ceremony held on 12 May 2012.

Amongst the degrees conferred were two doctorates in Polymer Science, two Master’s of Arts in Geography and African Languages, respectively, five Master’s of Science degrees in Physics (3) and Polymer Science (2) and 37 honours degrees in Education, Zoology, Physics, Botany and Polymer Science.

In their congratulatory messages, both the Vice-Rector: Institutional Affairs, Prof. Teuns Verschoor, and the Chancellor, Dr Khotso Mokhele, challenged the graduates to start focusing their attention beyond their graduation on what they both referred to as “the real world”.

“Graduation ceremonies are a fantastic event, but you must never lose sight of appreciating the support given by those around you,” said Dr Mokhele.

“This hall was full of shouting and yes, you must bask in that glory, knowing that you have achieved part of your goals. Yes, this is your moment, so shine. You deserve it. You have earned it.”

“However, this noise also means you must go out there and face the real world. You are graduating in a model country on how people can reconcile, despite their painful and divided past. You deserve all the accolades, but that model country is disappearing before your eyes. How can you mess up what Mandela, Biko, Sobukwe, Nardine Gordimer lived and fought for? How can you mess up such a good thing?” Dr Mokhele asked of an attentive audience that included proud parents and siblings, as well as educators and learners from the Thabo Mofutsanyana District.

“Go out there and deploy your education and not your connections, as these are embedded in corruption. Go out there and help get rid of the patronage system where hard-workers are more likely to be constructively dismissed as they stand in the way of those with corrupt tendencies. Save this country from becoming another Zimbabwe. Let us do whatever it takes to save this country. Let these matriculants who are here today want to walk that red carpet with pride in the next few years,”,said Dr Mokhele.

Dignitaries in attendance included the former Chief Minister of the former Qwaqwa homeland, Dr T K Mopeli; the Executive Mayor of the Dihlabeng Local Municipality, Councillor Tjhetane Mofokeng; Dr SWF Moloi (Thabo Mofutsanyana Education District) and representatives from various government departments.

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