Nurturing the next generation

South Africa needs an increased supply of doctors, engineers, accountants and the like if it wants to meet its development targets. But not enough school leavers have the necessary background in science and mathematics to gain access to these fields of study at tertiary level. Schools need a helping hand to strengthen their role.

Two initiatives at Stellenbosch University aim to address this problem: SciMathUS and TRAC SA. Both have been generously supported by donors through the years, and the University recognised these contributions at its 2011 Vice-Chancellor’s Awards.

Bridge to Success

Stellenbosch University’s bridging programme in Science and Mathematics (SciMathUS) is a year-long course catering for talented and motivated students from educationally disadvantaged backgrounds. Alongside the core academic subjects of Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Accounting and Introduction to Economics, additional skills-based subjects are taught. This lays a solid foundation for future success, as many students will testify.

Seven recipients of the 2011 Vice-Chancellor’s Award made substantial contributions to SciMathUS and its institutional home, IMSTUS: the DG Murray Trust, Fasset (Seta), Investec Bank, Namakwa Sands, Rand Merchant Bank,Remgro, and the Stella & Paul Loevenstein Trust.

SchiMathUS helped Ms Judith Hendricks (seen right) to get her marks up, which enabled her to study accounting. She has since done her articles and landed a good job. Scroll down to see a letter she has written to SchiMathUS.

Reaching tomorrow's engineers

South Africa’s education system performs poorly in physical science and mathematics. In 2009, less than 37% of grade 12 learners who sat the physical science exams passed. This figure improved to 48% in 2010, but it still means that more than half the learners taking the subject are failing.

TRAC SA, the Technology Research Activity Centre for South Africa, works to redress this problem. This community interaction programme based in the Department of Civil Engineering at Stellenbosch University (SU) is aimed at supporting and uplifting science and technology education in South African secondary schools.

“TRAC encourages learners to enter into careers in science, engineering, and technology,” says Ms Debbey Olivier, Executive Director.

“This is done with classroom intervention in schools, based on the principle that practical experiential learning is essential for understanding even the most basic of theoretical concepts.”

TRAC works with learners and educators. The programme provides equipment, curriculum content, vocational guidance information, and a variety of other material to developing communities, especially in rural areas, where essential resources are limited or lacking.

TRAC facilities and activities include:

• 24 mobile and 6 fixed laboratories
• 40 physical science and 14 related mathematical experiment worksheets, all linked to the South African school curriculum
• Educational research and development programmes
• A comprehensive engineering and artisanship career guidance booklet

The TRAC programme was initiated in the US many years ago as a hands-on outreach program of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. The programme came to South Africa in 1994 and was adapted for local needs and circumstances. It has since grown from a single site to a programme with nationwide facilities.

“Our expansion and success is linked to the valuable support we receive from our financial partners,” says Olivier.

Four recipients of the 2011 SU Vice-Chancellor’s Award are TRAC donors: Murray & Roberts, the Gautrain Management Agency, the Transnet Foundation and the Coega Development Corporation.