STEPP works to make "excellent education accessible to all South Africans". To this end we are involved in multiple long and short term partnerships. Our areas of specific focus are Maths, English Literacy, Science, Early Childhood Development and Making Libraries Happen.
This year we have embarked on the Maths Partnership with a renewed vigour as a result of information gained from our years of experience. The new methodology has meant we have had to rely heavily on the trust of the community and the willingness of the teachers to be vulnerable and deeply honest, to succeed. It has been incredibly rewarding to witness the bravery and commitment of the teachers who have responded to this new regime. As a result, the Maths classroom practise at Insika High School is transforming daily. This year the teachers and pupils committed to a full three week Maths Winter School in July of this year. That meant no holiday. In that time, together we were able to:
- address the gaps that existed in the learners' knowledge of the Core Maths syllabus from Grade 10 through to Grade 12
- reform the learning habits of learners who did not practise Maths
- or engage in the understanding of it
- build up the teacher trainer skills that hold learners accountable for their learning
- and assessed the learners robustly
One learner ended the winter school with a pass mark of 84%. Not all of the news is rosy and some learners have a way to go to achieve their potential, but now it is possible for them to do well. The training continues on a weekly basis with the school and there is a marked difference to the beginning of the year's classroom practices.
During the year we have worked on challenges that the school faces to be able to provide an excellent education to their learners. The school has had to purchase extra books to ensure that each child can work on their own, STEPP and the school have provided calculators for those children who do not have one and the STEPP consultant meets with staff weekly to ensure the teacher training grows from strength to strength.
The school is particularly challenged with regards to electricity and a library. A quote for their electrical work came to R38 000.00 and this was to ensure just basic electrical access and safety. They do not have a library at present, but one of the staff members has been using broken desks, remodelling them into shelving and slowly making shelves in a back room to create a library.
While electricity and libraries seem unconnected to Maths and learning they are not. If children are exposed to reading and the ritual of scouring books for information their learning in all subjects significantly improves. One of the main obstacles to Maths and Science in South Africa is the fact that many learners are writing their exams and answering questions in their second language. Those learners need to understand English and be able to read it with understanding so that learning and teaching can take place effectively.
Electricity allows for excellent teaching practise. Without access to basic electricity teachers are not able to photocopy notes, create a warm and inviting learning environment and make use of up to date equipment such as laptops, overhead projectors and maybe one day, even smartboards.
The Core Maths classroom is pictured above. You can see the one electrical cable in the eaves that runs through the ceiling from room to room for plug points in the classroom. Students sit near the windows for light.
In partnership with STEPP we are starting to plan for the library under the banner of the "Making Libraries Happen" partnership. The first step is for the Insika School community to sift through the old books that the school has and to recycle them at Wildlands Trust. The paper that is recycled should generate money for the school. St Anne's College Environment Club is looking to set up a recycling station at the school to encourage environmental awareness and to support the recycling initiative.
STEPP has sourced mobile shelving for a library and would like to buy three of them for the school. The shelving costs between R4295 and R3170 depending on the ones that are purchased. View these mobile shelves on the left.
Mr Sipho Nkabinde with the shelves he has made from broken desks
The R10 000.00 Hilton Covered donation from the 3rd edition, could be spent on buying shelving and supporting the school in setting up their library to encourage English Literacy if STEPP is the elected beneficiary.
Update supplied by STEPP.