Awarenet is also in 2023 giving learners in Makhanda the opportunity to participate in the Olico mathematics program. This program was a great success in 2022 as grade 8 and 9 learners dramatically improved their mathematical skills through the Olico program’s well-proven method of combining online training with the presence of tutors who use innovative methods to make maths fun.
Thabiso Simelane from the Olico program explaining how to make maths fun for learners
To kick-start the program in 2023 Thabiso Simelane from the Olico program in Johannesburg visited Makhanda to train new and old tutors from Awarenet and partner organisation Inkululeko in various methods in making maths interesting and relevant for learners. The emphasis of the training was on promoting genuine understanding of numbers and mathematical concepts – moving away from the rote learning of formulas and focus on exams so prevalent in South African schools.
Trainers learn some physical games which can engage maths learners
Tutors from the program really enjoyed the two-day training and got all fired up for the task of making learners see maths as interesting and challenging instead of grey and daunting.
We thank the Learning Trust for also supporting this program in 2023, we hope it will lead to the same improvement in maths among our learners this year as it did in 2022. Thanks also to Rhodes University Community Engagement and their always helpful staff which let us their Social Innovation Hub for the training.