Programme Director, Mr Cobus Jansen
Honorable MEC for Economic Development, tourism Environmental Affairs, Mme Mamiki Qabathe
Sasol Infrachem Managing Director, Mr Lousi Fourie
Sasol Management team
Exhibitors
Department’s officials, teachers, learners
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen
Good afternoon, and to all the ladies present, Happy Women’s Month. I am honoured and privileged to be given this opportunity to officially open the 2012 Sasol Techno X.
I am also delighted to see so many young potential scientists drawn from all over the country attending this most acclaimed career exhibition.
I am told that last year this annual exhibition attracted about 21 000 learners.
Now in its 12th year, we are confident the exhibition will be larger and more learners will descend in our province to witness the beauty, utility and applicability of mathematics, science and technology.
Over the years, ladies and gentlemen, Sasol Techno-X has developed into one of the premier exhibitions in the country stimulating interest in the technological application of science and mathematics amongst learners, teachers and the general public.
On behalf of government we want to take this opportunity to express our deep appreciation to Sasol for inspiring country’s young people and future leaders to be smarter, technologically savvy, knowledgeable, entrepreneurial and productive.
There is no better company to introduce our children to the importance of science, maths and technology in our information and digital society. Sasol clearly understands the challenges posed by the shortage of science and technology skills in our country.
We thank Sasol for supporting our Maths and Science programme in Zamdela schools.
On September 12 last year we launched the ‘Maths for All Campaign’ to create avenues for learners, parents, teachers and the general public in the province to share excitement of mathematics.
Our goal is to create a mathematically enabling environment, which provides opportunities for all learners from grade R-12 to develop to their fullest potential.
Through this campaign we want to enhance the quality of teaching and learning of mathematics in the province.
We offered bursaries to 120 Mathematical Literacy (Maths Lit) teachers to study maths at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU). Last year in partnership with Teach-SA Ambassador Project we placed 15 young graduates to teach maths and science in identified schools.
We also incentivised top maths schools with R 100 000 per school. We expanded Heymath! Programme by 50 schools and installed 200 Maths labs in primary schools.
The feedback we have received on the impact of HeyMath! Programme was positive.
We are also giving necessary support to 36 Dinaledi school Project in the province. The aim of the project is to increase the number of matriculants with university-entrance mathematics and science passes. The strategy involves selecting certain secondary schools for Dinaledi status that have demonstrated their potential for increasing learner participation and performance in maths and science, and providing them with resources and support to improve the teaching and learning of these subjects.
In partnership with Kagiso Trust’s Beyers Naude School Development Programme (BNSDP), we are running an intervention program on maths, science and accounting at 45 secondary schools in the Maluti-A-Phofung Municipality.
The impact of this intervention has been remarkable, with the majority of these schools improving their results. For example; in 2010 Bluegumbosch Secondary School obtained 46,10% in grade 12, and following this intervention the school has improved to an impressive 85.50% in 2011. Mohaladitwe High School matric results have improved from 20.30 % in 2010 to 79.60% in 2011.
While the pass rate in maths and science has generally decline in the country in 2011, our province has improved from 48.4 % in 2010 to 53.9 % in mathematics in 2011. In physical science we have improved from 53.4 % in 2010 to 55.2% last year.
Schools which are part of BNSDP programme have obtained impressive result in these subjects: In maths Sekgutlong received 98%, Tsebo 86 %, Tlhorong 81,4 %, Mmathabo 70,4 %, Nkarabeng 78%, Sasamala 74.2 % and Bluegumboch 71,9%. In Physical Science, Tlhorong obtained 94.9%, Bluegumbosch 83.9%, Sekgutlong 78.4%, Tsebo 76.4%, Mmathabo 75.4 % and Clubview 73.5%.
Last month, as part of ‘Maths 4 All Campaign’ we launched the National Science Week in this district.
During this week, which commenced on July 30 and end on August 4, we directly engaged more than 7 000 learners throughout the province in activities that are aimed at exciting them, pricking their curiosity and exposing them to the wonders of maths and science.
We did this with the long-term view of attracting as many young people to careers in science, mining, astronomy, engineering and technology as possible.
To liberate this country from the yoke of under-development we need to produce highly qualified people to build and strengthen the economy.
Currently as a country we still lag behind in the number of competent engineers we produce in comparison to other developing countries. In South Africa there is one engineer servicing 3 166 people compared to our BRICS partners Brazil which has one engineer for every 227 people and Malaysia with one engineer for every 543 people.
Even as we celebrate the 18th anniversary of woman emancipation, the field of engineering and science is still dominated by men. Girls are often not encouraged at school level to pursue these careers.
We therefore welcome initiatives such as “Techno Girl”, which identifies 15-18 year old school girls from disadvantaged communities and places them in corporate mentorship and job shadowing programmes.
The programme is collaboration between the Department for Women, Children and people with Disabilities, provincial departments of education, the private sector and UNICEF. Since its inception in 2007, the programme has reached over 4,250 girls.
In the Free State 66 school girls drawn from all five districts of the province are part of this programme. We are confident that over the coming years Techno Girl will reach even more girls, inspiring them to become the scientists and engineers who will ensure a bright future, not only for themselves and their families, but the country as whole.
Indeed, there is a dire need to increase the number of engineers and other science related skills if we are to ensure the successful implementation of the country’s New Growth Path and the Infrastructure Plan that is intended to radically transform the economic landscape of South Africa, create significant number of jobs, strengthen the delivery of basic services to the people and support the integration of African economies.
Between 2010 and 2012, 200 science -related full- time bursaries were awarded to deserving learners by the Free State Provincial Government. This year alone a total of R12 026 971. 00 was paid as part of our contribution to alleviate the shortage of skills in this field.
As you may be aware the theme of the exhibition this year is ‘Innovation for People’ which clearly means that Information Communication Technology (ICT) should serve as a catalyst for development.
Scientific and technological innovations should enable us to fight poverty, diseases, illiteracy and other socio-economic ills. It should help us to advance our dream of better life for all.
One of ANC electoral mandate which is contained in our 2009 election manifesto is to improve the performance in mathematics, science and technology.
Experts have repeatedly warned that pupils will continue to produce disastrous results in these learning areas unless they are taught the basics properly in primary schools.
Accordingly, this year more attention has been given to the teaching of mathematics in primary schools.
Ladies and gentlemen, next month the Annual National Assessments (ANA) will be written. Our provincial target is that, 60% of grade 3, 6, and 9 learners should perform at the minimum of 50% in mathematics and language.
We are aware though, ladies and gentlemen, that this is a herculean target. The reality is significant number of our grade 3 and 4 pupils cannot count beyond 40. Our rural and township learners in particular have no sense of numbers. Their mathematical careers are over long before they even reach Intermediate and Senior Phase, let alone Higher Education Training.
There are no quick fix solutions. We need to start working at primary school level and making impact there. The fact of the matter is the performance at primary school level predicts grade 12 performance.
If performance at lower level is poor, there is no way we can raise it at grade 12. It is too late crying at the grade 12 level. We need to look at this weakness much earlier, which is where investments have to be made.
ANA, therefore serve as our most significant intervention to measure and strengthen the foundational skills of literacy and numeracy among the learners. Basic numeracy, mathematical, scientific and technological skills are critical for further learning and the world of work.
Learners who are competent in these skills are able to engage in effective post-school learning across wide range of learning fields. We need therefore to encourage all learners to excel in maths and science.
Our English, Mathematics, Science, Technology and Accounting strategy (EMSTA) which form of the ‘Maths for All Campaign’ seeks to expose and stimulate learner’s interest in these subjects.
Through this initiative, learners from small rural towns in the province are encourage to choose these subjects in the FET band with the prospect of continuing with them at the tertiary level. This clearly demonstrates our commitment to accelerate the pace of learning and achievements in maths and science.
Occasions such as the Sasol Techno X present opportunities for learners to excel in maths and science. In 2011 two learners from previously disadvantaged schools obtained 100% and 95% in physical science and mathematics respectively. Masoi Johannes Mhlophe from Mampoi Secondary School in QwaQwa obtained a 100% pass in physical science and Mokgomotsi Petrus Thaele from Nanabolela Senior Secondary School in Welkom obtained 95% in mathematics. I am told these learners attended the 2011 Sasol Techno X.
Both of them are currently studying engineering at the University of Cape Town. We are very proud of these learners and we hope that with the help of the private sector, more learners can reach this level of achievement.
We therefore call on other business organisations and exhibitors present here to emulate Sasol by opening their door to our young people, to enable them to see the relationship between education and the world of work.
Ladies and gentlemen, maths, science and technology can change our future. The future of our society lies in the hands of the youth. Young people who can innovate and stay resilient would be able to rise up to the challenge and make our country a better place.
Our goal as a department is to encourage ours learners to realise that the future lies in learning how to be innovative for our people.
As I conclude let us join all South Africans in celebrating the London 2012 as one of our country’s best - ever Olympics. Given that we only won one silver medal at the last Olympics in Beijing, getting even three gold medals was unthinkable. We scooped six medals and new swimming world record.
We congratulate Caster Semenya, Cameron van der Burgh, Chad le Clos, Sizwe Ndlovu, Matthew Brittain, John Smith and James Thompson for making us proud.
I wish you all the best in your adventure in the world of science and technology.
With these words, I declare the 2012 Sasol Techno X officially open.
I thank you.
