Education and SA Air Force partner to improve learner performance in technical mathematics
From left to right: Colonel A Naik, Officer Commanding Air Force Base Bloemspruit; Major General MI Buthelezi Acting Chief of SA Air Force, MEC for Free State Department of Education, Dr Tate Makgoe and Major General MP Sehloho Chief Air Staff Governance.
Free State Department of Education and the South African Air Force have partnered to improve learners’ performance in technical mathematics, which is very critical in addressing the skills shortage in the country.
The dire low performance in technical maths was indicated by an unimpressive performance where the Free State obtained a 42 percent mark and was the second best in the country. This is an alarming state of affairs, says Free State Department of Education Chief Director, Tsatsi Montso who further indicates that the province has plans to redress this and the partnership is one of the interventions.
“The performance of grade 12 learners in Technical Mathematics has been a challenge in the past 2 years since its introduction as part of the National Senior Certificate with the Free State coming second amongst all other provinces” says Montso.
The partnership will ensure that 1004 learners from 19 schools doing technical mathematics will benefit from the programme and envisages intervention reach and impact of 98% from the following schools in the province: Dr Reginald Cingo, Thakameso CS, HTS Sasolburg, Iketsetseng CS, Barnard Molokoane in Fezile Dabi, Leseding, Lenakeng HTS Welkom, Oziel Selele and Tikwane Secondary Schools in Lejweleputswa, Lenyora la Thuto, Commtech, Hodisa and Kagisho Schools in Motheo and Morena Moopela, Makabelane, Bethlehem, EE Monese, and Lerato Uthando Schools in Thabo Mofutsanyana District.
Free State Department of Education MEC, Dr Tate Makgoe says the relationship between the department and the South African Air Force can be traced back as far as 2015 and was necessitated by the need to support grade 12 learners who progressed from grade 11 after failing two times. The department approached the SA Air Force for support and this has yielded positive results with many of the learners believed to not be performing well; gaining university entrance.
MEC Makgoe says that the partnership should go beyond learner performance and supporting learners in the classroom, but should be extended to instil and teach patriotism, respect for the country and serving others through education.
“With this initiative that started way back in 2015, we want to support broader economic initiatives for the 6th administration. We say keep up the good work department of education and we also support the utilization of our facilities to be yours” said Major General Phenuel Sehloho.
