In an effort to develop skills in Maths, Science, Technology, and English (STEM) and stimulate learner uptake, educators across three local schools within the Khai Ma area are being equipped with specialised teaching skills.
As a critical first step in stimulating an increased uptake of STEM subjects amongst their learners through to Matric, this initiative is designed to enhance learners’ fundamental skills and ready them for future STEM careers.
“The programme will allow us to teach with more confidence and improve our teaching abilities to achieve better results and learner understanding. In turn, this will encourage more learners to choose STEM subjects and pursue careers in STEM,” stated Mrs. B. Ruhl, a teacher at Pella Primary School and beneficiary of this programme.
Impacting close to 200 learners and 11 teachers across Boesmanland High School in Pofadder, Pella RK Primary in Pella and St Philomena RK Primary School in Onseepkans, this programme, implemented by Protec, is targeting the grade 8 to 10 learning streams, to enhance the teachers’ understanding and knowledge of STEM subjects and to assist in strengthening classroom learning.
“Exposure to STEM subjects helps develop key skills such as problem-solving, critical analysis, digital literacy, and creativity to guide learners in STEM-related careers in the future, which are lacking in the area. This programme is particularly important to us as the Khai-Ma Local Municipality has several opportunities to access STEM careers through its mines and renewable energy plants,” said Jeremy Prins, Social Performance Co-Ordinator for Aggeneys Solar and Konkoonsies II Solar, which funds this programme.
This learner and teacher development support programme commenced in March this year, with ongoing in-house workshops and extra lessons during school holidays. Furthermore, the schools have also been provided with ICT equipment which includes laptops, projectors, routers and data for the teachers. This will ultimately contribute to a brighter future for both teachers and learners in the community.
