Expanded Mathematics, Science and Technology Strategy

1
Expanded Mathematics, Science and Technology
Strategy

• SAMS Workshop
• 31 July - 01 August 2008

2
Update on developments in maths and maths
literacy

• Subject adviser and teacher training provided
• Recruitment of teachers
• Textbooks
• Examination exemplars
• Olympiads

3
Overall Statistics for Maths Literacy Mathematics
4
Overview of the Presentation

• Outlines the strategic objectives of the
  Mathematics, Science and Technology Education
  Strategy
• Provides background information and theory
  informing the Dinaledi school project
• Provides an overview of the support that has been
  provided for the development of Dinaledi schools
• An overview of the monitoring process of Dinaledi
  schools

5
Strategic Objectives of the National Strategy
for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education
(2001)

• 1. Performance targets in all schools
• 2. In every classroom a qualified and competent
  teacher
• 3. Improving the language of teaching and
  learning (LOLT)
• Identifying and nurturing talent and potential
• Co-operation with the Department of Science and
  Technology - NSW, camps, etc.
• 6. Partnerships with relevant stakeholders -
  resources and technical support
• 7. Evaluation and monitoring of MST in provinces
  
• 8. Introduce ICTs in all schools

6
The Dinaledi School Project

• The Dinaledi schools are intended to raise the
  participation and performance by black learners
  and girl learners in high level mathematics and
  physical science
• The project is to support the cost-effective way
  of channeling scarce resources in the context of
  competing priorities and limited resources
• The project is a short term approach to provide
  adequate learning and teaching facilities to
  limited schools with potential to address the
  objectives of the Maths and Science Strategy

7
Selection of Dinaledi schools

• Schools that already offered mathematics and
  science and have satisfactory classes of a
  minimum of 35 (HG SG) maths learners
• Schools that displayed basic levels of
  functionality
• Schools with potential to improve both
  participation and performance in SC mathematics
  and physical science

8
Number of Dinaledi Schools per phase
9
Principles of Support and Development of Dinaledi
schools

• Teacher competency and commitment is an integral
  component contributing to the success of
  curriculum delivery
• Time on task and effective use of time is
  critical in ensuring curriculum coverage and
  delivery
• Text availability promotes access and enhances
  the development of the body of knowledge
  necessary for skills development
• Availability of resources to support effective
  teaching and learning

10
Teacher Development and Support Programmes

• DoE trained Master Trainers in Maths and Science
  to provide support to teachers in Dinaledi
  schools
• Provinces conducted 100-hour teacher training
  programme focused on
• Improving teachers content knowledge in maths
  and science
• Improving the teaching of maths and science
• Enhance performance of learners in the subjects
• Master trainers and Mentor teachers are providing
  mentoring support to teachers in selected
  Dinaledi schools
• DoE has trained subject advisors in Mathematics
  and Science to enable them to support Dinaledi
  and other schools

11
Availability of Text and Resources

• The DoE has made texts available through the
  following support
• Textbooks for every learner
• Exemplar examination question papers to support
  assessment of the curriculum
• Study Mate publication with activities
• Maths 911 workbooks with assessment activities
• Supply of ICT/computer resources
• Schools have received scientific calculators to
  enhance the ability to deal with the subject
  content

12
Maths Olympiads-2008

• DoE registered 488 Dinaledi schools and top 200
  mathematics schools in Maths Olympiads
• 292 Dinaledi schools wrote the 1st round of the
  junior and senior Maths Olympiads
• 185 Dinaledi schools progressed to the 2nd round
  of the Maths Olympiads with a total of 2357
  qualifying for the Olympiads

13
Incentives and Rewards

• 10 Dinaledi schools received R100 000 cash to
  reward performance in HG mathematics in the Most
  Improved School Awards
• 213 Dinaledi schools have been adopted by private
  donors and universities for additional support
• Dinaledi schools received performance rewards
  from DoE and Standard Bank for increasing numbers
  of HG maths passes in 2007 compared to 2006

14
Purpose of Monitoring Dinaledi schools

• The purpose of the monitoring process is to
  support teaching and learning and ensure quality
  of outcomes
• Monitoring process includes a combination of
  methods, e.g.
• Surveys to schools
• On-site school visits
• Telephonic interviews
• Results of monitoring process provide evidence of
  direct support required by schools and promotes
  the mobilisation of resources

15
Monitoring of Dinaledi schools

• Identify early warning signals that may affect
  performance in maths and science
• Establish Dinaledi schools areas of need
• Promote quality teaching and learning
• Provide support to enhance performance of schools

16
Monitoring Results for 2008

• An external monitoring team of persons with
  experience in teaching of Mathematics and Science
  was trained on 31 March 2008
• The team and the DoE officials visited 200
  Dinaledi schools between 3 April and 30 June 2008
• The monitoring visits were on site-school support
  that included the assessment of utilisation of
  resources.
• The monitoring also included an analysis of the
  management of curriculum in schools

17
Monitoring Results for 2008

• All schools visited were aware of the objectives
  of the Dinaledi school project to increase
  learner participation and success in high level
  Maths and Science
• The teaching of Mathematics and Science is
  receiving attention at the schools, however
  additional support is required in new content
  areas
• Learners workbooks indicate an increased level
  of writing and practice in Maths and Science
• All Grade 12 learners were reported to have
  textbooks and other DoE provided support materials