Over 320 learners from 4 High Schools from the Soweto (Johannesburg) Central District converged at the Morris Isaacson High School hall in Jabulani, Soweto, for their matric prelim exam preparation. The project is sponsored by the National Awqaf Foundation of South Africa (Awqaf SA) (an Islamic faith-based community endowment fund) in collaboration with SciBono and the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE). The participating schools were Morris Isaacson High School; Dr Vilakazi High School; Misourilaan Secondary; and Jabulani Tech. Learners also came from Glenvista High and Eldorado Park.
The enthusiastic learners came walking and by specially arranged busses and taxis to the central venue (courtesy of the Gauteng Education District Office).
The Awqaf SA (Education) “Maths Matters” project is one of many educational projects sponsored by the organization as part of its social responsibility programme on behalf of the Muslim community of South Africa. Awqaf SA CEO, Zeinoul Abedien Cajee remarked: “We are all aware of the low grades achieved by learners especially in Mathematics in disadvantaged schools and communities. The objective of this pilot project is to radically improve learner grades in Mathematics. Many of the learners have marks hovering around the 30% level. Our objective is to push it up above 60%, with the prospect of getting a few distinctions. This would be a remarkable improvement on learners June exam results.”
Tutor Muhammad Khota from the K-Way Maths institution, the service provider for the Awqaf SA Maths Matters project is confident of achieving significant improvement because of his tried and tested model. “We are seeking learners who are really weak. That’s what we have. From past experience, our programme has achieved significant improvement in learner grades for maths. We will be monitoring learner marks and comparing June with prelim and final exam results. That will be the day we are looking forward to when we can see the improvement. So lets wait for the results. We are quite optimistic”.
From observations by Scibono Senior Manager, Mr Vincent Zulu, “learners were quite excited to be part of the project and were actively involved in the teaching and learning process. They were very responsive to the tutor”.
Project Coordinator Mr Edward Chauke from the Gauteng District Office ensured that all the logistics were handled efficiently from transport, venue, to catering. Learners were also served with refreshments and meals during their breaks.
Awqaf SA would like to thank its volunteers and all the schools involved and the excellent coordination. In particular the Principals of A special thanks also to coorganisers Scibono and the Gauteng Education District Office for their cooperation and collaboration.
Stop Press: Deputy Minister of Basic Education, Enver Surty, commented: “Thank you for your wonderful initiative. I have forwarded your mail to our Acting DG. Mathematics is the most challenging subject and your intervention is appropriate and adds value to quality education.”
At the conclusion of phase 1 of the project (phase 2 being the pre final intervention in September 2015), here are some learner comments:
“I can forget what I learnt before. This course helped me to understand that Maths is easy. From my June marks of 38% I am going to aim for a distinction”. Jeremy Davids
“Had a great week…Doing it the K-W@y…That man is a great inspiration to all of us…he made us believe that we are able to succeed in life no matter what the circumstances…
” Luthando Motshwari
“What an experience of spending three days with u. I am going to be honest since my grade 10 I never liked maths because I told myself I wll never make it in maths but thanks to Mr.K u just made me fall in love with maths I am in love with Maths since Monday. God bless you for bringing a light to my future…” Irene Mhlongo