Ekurhuleni – Neotel and NIIT have announced the launch of the first ICT enabled Mathematics laboratory at Khayelihle Primary School in Vosloorus, as a means to contribute towards improving math skills at the primary schools in South Africa.
This state of the art laboratory will enable primary school students to learn and explore mathematical concepts and verify mathematical facts and theorems using technology tools.
Since 2011, NIIT has provided over 353 schools, across the country, with ICT enabled math labs. Neotel and NIIT recently announced the formation of a joint alliance – the N2 Education Hub – to build on that solid foundation and enable growth through Neotel’s network.
The Math Lab will be officially opened by The Honourable Mohamed Enver Surty, Deputy Minister of Basic Education.
“We are very excited about the launch of our first Math Lab in Gauteng. This lab will help learners to improve their academic performance, build numeracy skills and analytical thinking,” says Sunil Joshi, CEO and MD of Neotel.
“There is a huge math and science skills gap in schools across South Africa, and corporates need to start working together with the government to deploy similar initiatives that will ensure a brighter future for our children.”
This ICT enabled lab uses a unique methodology of teaching mathematics, which teaches the learners to reason, connect ideas and think logically by gaining an in-depth understanding of the subject.
Khayelihle Primary School will be presented with multiple teaching and learning aids comprising of technology applications, videos, manipulative, measuring instruments, tables and charts. The teachers will also be provided with training to ensure that the learners derive maximum benefits from the lab.
Willie Mohlabai, Principal at Khayelihle Primary School, says, “This is truly an exciting time for our school. The Math Lab will play a huge role in helping our learners to improve their numeracy skills and understanding of numbers.
“Mathematics is one of the subjects that most learners struggle with from primary to secondary school. It is essential for our students to acquire an interest and understanding of this subject at a young age to help them prepare for future learning.”
The Math Lab provides an opportunity to students to understand, internalize, discover and verify the basic mathematical and geometrical concepts through concrete objects and situations, thus building interest and confidence in students learning the subject.
