The challenges the teachers face in teaching Science and Mathematics are well documented. This proposal builds on the work done in partnership with teachers and the Ugu District over 4 years from 2016 to 2019 in the Intermediate Phase Mathematics and English.
The focus is shifted to the Senior Phase and extends the subject area to include Natural Sciences. English has been dropped. The approach builds on the successes achieved with the Lead Teacher methodology used at the Intermediate Phase.
The motivation for the project is based on reflections on achievements to date, identified opportunities for further engagement with teachers and current research on teacher professional development.
Model/approach used in project implementation
Lead Teacher Methodology – Each year 25 Lead Teachers are chosen by the Ugu District Officials to be part of the project. They then cascade the information by conducting training in their area and school that is they establish a PLC.
Implementation period/duration as per the proposal/SLA
Three years – 2021 to 2023
Key stakeholders
NPC and DBE
Number of project beneficiaries that have been reached since the project started
For 2023, Mathematics = 22 and Natural Sciences = 15
Achievements
Improvements in teachers’ subject knowledge and pedagogy, confidence and instructional leadership capacity both at District and school level, as well as improvements in learner performance.
Inspiration brought to the beneficiaries
- To look for creative and innovative ways to teach Mathematics and Natural Sciences.
- To teach for understanding and structure lessons utilising Bloom’s taxonomy.
- To evaluate the way that they teach and learners learn.
- To constantly look for ways to improve their teaching of the subject
- To collaborate with fellow educators and share their knowledge and expertise by establishing PL C’s.
Project impact so far?
Confident facilitation of Mathematics and Natural Sciences workshop by both District Officials and the teachers.
Lesson study and functional Professional Learning Communities
Application of evidence-based approaches
Curriculum coverage
Funding awarded
R603 000 for 2023