SANRAL's R30m boost for maths and science at Free State University
While the South African National Roads Agency is busy with the ongoing upkeep of Free State transport infrastructure such as roads and bridges, the province is also fortunate to have a bagged a R30 million grant from SANRAL for higher education in maths, science and technology education.
SANRAL and the University of the Free State have jointly launched a new chair in science, mathematics and technology education.
The endowment of R30 million over five years is seed money to establish the SANRAL Chair to help improve the quality of teaching in these vital subjects at township and rural schools.
It will form part of the university's School Change Project (SCP), a flagship initiative launched by the vice-chancellor, Prof Jonathan Jansen.
SANRAL has committed to helping more students to enter into science-related studies and careers and has sponsored several programmes at tertiary institutions.
"Education is one of the key priorities of the South African government, and SANRAL has for many years been offering scholarships and bursaries to high school learners and university students as a way of ploughing back into the community," said SANRAL CEO Nazir Alli.
He said the success of the government's National Infrastructure Plan, which promises to create thousands of jobs and boost empowerment, will hinge on skills dependent on mathematics and science.
"Infrastructure is critical to strengthening key value chains across our economy by advancing service delivery, bolstering job creation and expediting economic transformation.
"A major component of the National Infrastructure Plan is the construction of new roads throughout the country, including an important corridor route through Free State.
"It was, therefore, an easy choice for SANRAL, which is mandated by the government to build and maintain the nation's roads and bridges, to partner with the University of Free State because our economy has such a big need for students with a high ability in science and mathematics," said Alli.Given the critical role that SANRAL played in civil engineering, which required skills in mathematics and science, the agency used every possible opportunity to equip learners with the necessary skills to enter the science, technology and engineering fields.
"By partnering with the University of Free State and establishing the chair in science, mathematics and technology education, SANRAL will help to ensure that South African students can measure up to international standards in the mathematical world," said Alli.
The SANRAL Chair will make it possible to initially help to train 44 educators in mathematics and science at each of the 22 participating schools. Student teacher interns will assist educators, and SCP mentors will monitor progress through weekly visits.
The interns will receive financial support to pursue undergraduate studies in maths and science education. In return, they will commit to teaching these subjects for a period of four years after the completion of their studies.