A ground breaking initiative by Nokia and the South African government to get learners interested in mathematics has been launched by the Eastern Cape Department of Education in six schools provincially. The new approach to lure these learners to mathematics studies includes mobile cell phones which are nowadays frequently used by almost everyone.
Nokia Mobile together with the South African government, MXit and Pearson have partnered in this project which is now called Imfundo Yam or Yethu. KwaKomani Comprehensive School, Gill College, JS Skenjana High School, Kanise High School, George Mqalo High School and Victoria Girls High School from the Province are among the schools which have been chosen to take part in the project.
The project according to Henry Kavuma, who is the Chief Education Specialist for Tele-Collaborate, learning is piloted in 30 schools around the country. He said that the project which allows grade 10 learners to access mathematics content and assessment exercises via MXit software on their mobile phones will be a great success because learners nowadays spend hours of their free time on programmes like MXit.
“Each school from the 30 that were chosen has been provided with a kit which includes 10 mobile phones and training. The success of this project in these six schools will see it being rolled out in the entire province”, concluded Kavuma.
Criteria for schools
Fact box:
* General packet radio service (GPRS) network coverage
* Computer with internet connection for math teachers. Most pupils should have access to GPRS enable phone
* Schools need to have a way to provide access to GPRS phone for those who do not have own phones. (Should Nokia or and government provide five phones per school, equity issue: learners should have own sim-cards).
* Teachers have basic information communication Technology skills (e-mail, Word, Excel, etc.)
* More than one math teacher in grade 10 per school.
* More than one grade 10 class in each school
* Principal’s support and teacher’s willingness
* Focus mainly on quintile three schools
Issued by: Department of Education, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
22 February 2010
Source: Department of Education, Eastern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.ecdoe.gov.za/)
