JumpStart maths tutor, Mamollo Kok, is on an interesting career path. She went from being a matriculant with social work ambitions, to a welding apprenticeship, to ensuring that bright sparks fly in the classrooms where she supports maths education. What’s in a name? Mamollo is known to her friends as Mamiki. To two-year-old Zizipho she is Mama. To the 700 foundation phase learners at Nelson Mandela Primary School in Sasolburg where she is a JumpStart tutor, helping out in the maths lessons, she is simply “Maths Teacher”. Soon, however, Mamiki will be a fully qualified Grade R teacher thanks to a StudyAssist Bursary from SASOL. In Southern Sotho “mamollo” means “mother of fire”. It’s a fitting name for a person who protects the embers, blowing gently on them and waiting for the spark of learning to emerge as a flame. Certainly, the prospects are improving for the children who pass through her care. “Mother […]
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Teachers give JumpStart top marks
At the end of every school year, when teachers have graded all the learners in their care, a group of Ekurhuleni South and Sasolburg teachers have one final report to write… That’s when all in JumpStart’s management team sit up straighter, awaiting their own report card! Project Director, Jabu Thomo, explains: “We administer a confidential survey with a representative sample of teachers at schools running our programme. In October 2019 we sampled 32 schools and received a total of 142 encouraging responses. We value this opportunity to see how JumpStart is doing so that we can continue to fulfil our mandate.” The survey measured teacher satisfaction and the impact of the programme. Additionally, it investigated the effectiveness of NumberSense workbooks and our interns, as well as teacher training, and where applicable, digital workbooks. Key findings from the 2019 survey Satisfaction with the NumberSense workbooks is especially high, followed by satisfaction with the performance of interns. […]
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JumpStart is shortlisted for MTN Awards
When Stephen Mahony learned about the inaugural MTN Awards for Social Change, he was hopeful that JumpStart fitted the brief. The awards recognise – amongst other things – NPOs that demonstrate excellent monitoring and evaluation practice (M&E). This aligned neatly with JumpStart’s vision. Angie Maloka of the MTN Foundation explained the aim of the award. NPOs must measure the outcome of their work, because donors need to see their money is being spent productively. “Additionally, we wish to see NPOs who are already doing this well, go on to share their learning,” she said. Mahony submitted the JumpStart numeracy programme, currently operating in 20 Ekurhuleni South primary schools, for consideration. The Michael and Susan Dell Foundation (MSDF) has funded this project since 2016 to the tune of R7,3 million rand annually, and Mahony is keen to see it expand in months to come. NPOs are working for a better South Africa The MTN Foundation recognises […]
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Sasolburg is lit with JumpStart’s terrific tutors
Sasolburg tutors celebrated an excellent year with JumpStart programme director, Jabu Thomo. “It’s time,” he said, “to celebrate their successful effort, both individually and collectively. The team has done very well, pulling together and building up the programme which is funded by SASOL. The tutors showed constructive teamwork, working well with each other, professional commitment to their own education, and dedication to the children in their classrooms.” Over a delicious lunch Jabu chatted to three of the ladies who are all UNISA students. One-on-one attention is a rare treat Maki Skabatso, teaches Grade 1s at Kopanelang Thuto and Taaibos Primary. This bubbly 28-year-old won first prize for mathematics when she was in Grade 7! This fact inspires her help the learners in her care to love – and understand! – maths as much as she did. Maki loves giving one-on-one sessions to the learners who need it most, but overcrowded classrooms don’t allow this much. […]
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Exciting prospects at Oosrand Secondary, Reiger Park
Oosrand Secondary School in Reiger Park is a great spot to be. High school learners here face exciting educational prospects, and their appetites for technology have been aroused. Planning for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) The ICT committee of the Ekurhuleni South Education District Office is planning to develop a centre of learning excellence in the field of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education. Firstly, this aims to provide students with better prospects for tertiary education. Secondly, it exposes young people to the possibility of careers in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). Peter Arendse, Oosrand Secondary‘s deputy principal, is a committed and conscientious educator. He expressed his delight that learners could participate in the JumpStart Programme in future. “It’s been painful to see our learners exiting the system without ICT skills or meaningful qualifications. Therefore we’re putting our best foot forward. We want this community to grow and develop and we want this […]
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