NGO steps in to help school maths add up

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Sum talent: The new ORT SA recruits at the induction training for the Gauteng Primary Literacy Math Strategy at ORT House in Joburg.

Educational non-profit organisation ORT SA has been asked to take on maths training at another 120 schools in Gauteng.

ORT has been involved in maths, science and technology training in Alexandra, Ivory Park, the inner city as well as Soweto for the past 18 years and will now be involved with the Gauteng Primary Literacy Mathematics Strategy (GPLMS).

The strategy, which is an initiative of the Gauteng MEC for Education, is targeting under-performing schools and providing them with the resources and training necessary to improve pupils’ academic performance. The maths component of the strategy is being rolled out this year.

“We warmly welcome the GPLMS as it enhances ORT’s international mission of educating for life,” said Ariellah Rosenberg, head of the educator empowerment department at ORT SA.

“We have been pro-active since 1994 in the areas of maths, science and technology and were the first to introduce the exceptional Singapore maths system into Gauteng schools.”

In order to facilitate the 120 schools, ORT SA has recruited 17 outstanding maths experts to coach, mentor and support teachers in those areas.

So far, says Rosenberg, the feedback has been positive and the experts are making good progress in familiarising themselves with the schools.

“We are hoping to see improvements in the annual assessment results and a change in teachers’ and pupils’ attitudes to maths,” she said.

“We are delighted to continue working with the Gauteng Department of Education, especially on this promising initiative, and to be part of transformation in education in Gauteng.”

ORT SA also offers the Geared for Life programme to pupils at township schools.

The Seta-accredited programme gives Grade 10 pupils the opportunity to attend extra-curricular classes that run parallel with their normal school academic learning.

Pupils who attend Geared for Life training in the afternoon can thus leave school at the end of Grade 12 with both a matric certificate and an FET certificate – and have a better chance of finding employment.

Pupils can choose to complete one of the following: FET certificate in beauty and nail technology, FET certificate in marketing and FET certificate in paralegal practice.

Traditionally, pupils first complete matric and afterwards enrol for further studies at an FET college.

For more information on ORT SA training initiatives, contact ORT SA at 011 728 7154 or e-mail info@ortsa.org.za