Learner support programmes
South Africa has a dire shortage of school leavers with the correct symbols
on the higher grade in Mathematics and Science to proceed onto those careers
where the country is experiencing skills shortages. The purpose of the Learner
Support Programmes is to provide a pool of high capability learners who can
go on to further their studies in scientific
and technological careers at tertiary institutions.
Historically most of the learners in local high schools would not have had the opportunity or the correct academic symbols to proceed to tertiary education in scientific careers. The Foundation’s programmes in the last few years have changed this scenario and many grade 12s now have the correct symbols to access high quality tertiary education.
Until 2004 there was a gradual decline at national level in numbers of higher grade passes in mathematics and science. The Foundation supports a number of initiatives to instil in the youth a love for mathematics, science and technology, at the same time increasing those skills in the district. This is done through the following programmes:
- PROTEC (Programme for Technological Careers)
- TechnoKidz
- Master Maths
- AMESA (Association of Mathematics Educators of South Africa) Mathematics Olympiad
- Eskom Expo for Young Scientists
PROTEC (Programme for Technological Careers)
The PROTEC Phalaborwa programme began in 1998 and aims to provide a source
of high capability students for Palabora and other
local
companies and industries. Learners who are talented in mathematics, English
and physical science are selected for the programme in grade 10 and spend three
years on the programme. Around 60 new learners are admitted onto the
programme in grade 10 each year. More than 50% of these learners go on to study
engineering, sciences and accountancy at tertiary institutions and some have
received bursaries from Palabora. Others are employed by other companies on completing their studies.
These learners attend extra lessons in the afternoons and during school vacations to prepare them for scientific and technological careers. Industrial site visits are organised to local industries and grade 11 learners attend an annual one-week environmental leadership camp in July. Every year in January the Foundation takes a group of PROTEC/Master Maths learners to the University of Pretoria. To date, around 50 learners have been accepted into the bridging year (UPFY Foundation course) at the University of Pretoria.
The PROTEC Phalaborwa branch has been producing close to a 100% pass and over 80% university exemption pass rate since the first group of students matriculated in the year 2000. In 2005, it recorded the best ever matric results with 100% pass and 98% university exemption pass rate.
The Phalaborwa PROTEC branch (which is managed by the Palabora Foundation) was established by the three major companies in Phalaborwa (Palabora Mining Company, Foskor Ltd, and Sasol Nitro). The major funders of the Phalaborwa PROTEC programme are Palabora Mining Company, Foskor Ltd, Sasol Nitro and Lepelle Northern Water. The Limpopo Provincial Department of Education, the Phalaborwa Chamber of Business, Eskom, the Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality, Standard Bank, the Greater Phalaborwa Principals’ Association, Professional Careers Consultants, and the Parents' Association from the Leboneng Education Centre and the Rixile Education Centre also serve on the PROTEC Phalaborwa Board of Management.
TechnoKidz
TechnoKidz, which launched in May 2008, is open to learners in grades 8 and 9 who have been identified as talented in mathematics and science. The TechnoKidz learners receive the same high standard of education outside normal school hours as the older PROTEC learners. This is to ensure that the quality of learners entering PROTEC is as high as possible.
Approximately 120 learners are to be admitted to the programme each year, split between the Leboneng and Rixile Education Centres.
The TechnoKidz classrooms are equipped with state-of-the-art computer systems. The learners use maths and science software to improve their skills and understanding, and they are allowed to use the Internet one afternoon a week for research purposes.
Master Maths
The Foundation’s Master Maths programmes have been encouraging learners with potential to take mathematics at the higher grade since 1994. Participating high school learners attend extra mathematics lessons in the afternoons, evenings and during school holidays at three interactive computerized Master Maths Centres.
These Master
Maths programmes are designed to follow the South African core mathematics
curriculum and OBE lessons are competency-based, 
allowing learners to study
at their own pace. Three qualified tutors work in each of the Centres in
the afternoons to assist learners with problems and to help with homework and
tutorials.
The performance of many of the learners has increased dramatically over the
years and many have gone on to study technical subjects at tertiary institutions.
During the past five years the grade 12 pass rate has been well above the national average: the overall average pass rate in 2006 was 82 per cent at the two education centres; eight learners obtained a distinction in mathematics, of which four were an “A” symbol at the higher grade and four at the standard grade.
Mathematics Olympiad
In partnership with the provincial Association of Mathematics Educators of South Africa (AMESA) a local, regional and provincial Mathematics Olympiad for three different levels is organised in the six districts in the province. In the provincial final round of the AMESA mathematics olympiad, a significant proportion of learners come from Phalaborwa district schools.
Ray Duba, head of the Palabora Foundation educator development unit, was elected National Deputy President of AMESA in 2005.
Eskom Expo for Young Scientists
In line with the objectives of the national Department of Science and Technology
to increase the participation of our youth in the fields of science, technology
and engineering, the local and regional schools Science Exposition is funded
and organised by the Palabora Foundation. This is managed and organised by
a Science Expo Committee of dedicated local science teachers.
After selection in the local Science Expo, learners from around 20 schools from Phalaborwa, Giyani and Tzaneen enter projects in the regional Science Exposition each year. Many of these receive gold, silver or bronze medals. A proportion of these are selected to attend the Eskom National Science Exposition which is held at the University of Pretoria each year in the first week of October. A significant number of our local learners' projects receive gold, silver and bronze medals at the national finals, a great achievement for schools in rural communities.
Run with assistance from the European Union