CASME Current Programmes
Building the next generation of STEM teaching.
CASME and the Sasol Foundation are delivering a three-year professional development programme for Grades 8–9 Mathematics and Natural Sciences teachers, Departmental Heads and District Subject Advisors across four South African provinces.
Teacher developmentSystem strengthening
Sustainable impact
The programme story
More than training. A system for lasting change.
South Africa continues to face persistent challenges in Mathematics and Science performance. These challenges are especially acute in rural and under-resourced districts, where gaps in teacher content knowledge, pedagogical practice and access to resources can constrain learner achievement.
This programme responds with a blended, evidence-based and practice-focused model. Sustained workshops are combined with diagnostic assessment, classroom coaching, instructional leadership, professional learning communities and accessible digital support.
The ambition is clear: improve teaching quality now, strengthen the Grade 8–9 pathway into FET STEM subjects, and contribute to long-term learner success in the National Senior Certificate.
Where we work
Four districts. One shared ambition.
The programme builds teacher, school and district capacity across a four-province footprint.
Partnership in action
Working with education leaders in Alfred Nzo West.
Sasol officials and Alfred Nzo West District officials engaging around programme implementation and the shared work of strengthening Mathematics and Natural Sciences education.
Programme objectives
What the intervention is designed to achieve.
Strengthen delivery
Build confidence and competence to deliver CAPS-aligned Mathematics and Natural Sciences.
Deepen understanding
Strengthen foundational content knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge.
Bring learning to life
Promote inquiry-based learning and practical experimentation, especially in Natural Sciences.
Integrate ICT
Use appropriate technology in instructional design, delivery and assessment.
Build school capacity
Equip Departmental Heads to provide effective school-based professional support.
Strengthen districts
Enhance the capacity of District Subject Advisors to support schools effectively.
Who the programme supports
Capacity at classroom, school and district level.
Teachers
Subject knowledge, assessment practice, practical pedagogy, reflective teaching and professional collaboration.
Departmental Heads
Curriculum coverage, supportive supervision, feedback, accountability and school-based teacher development.
Subject Advisors
Diagnostic support, curriculum leadership, professional learning facilitation and sustainable district capacity.
Programme methodology
Five connected delivery pillars.
Each pillar reinforces the next, ensuring that professional learning moves from evidence about real needs into classroom practice and sustainable system support.
Diagnostic assessment
CAPS-aligned baseline assessments identify content, assessment and pedagogical gaps.
- Teacher baseline assessment
- Learner misconception analysis
- Differentiated training pathways
Professional workshops
Practice-based learning strengthens content knowledge, pedagogy and assessment.
- Inquiry and problem-based learning
- Assessment design and moderation
- Subject-specific workshops
Classroom support
Training is transferred into practice through structured support.
- Observation → feedback → reflection
- Demonstration and co-teaching
- Cluster-based PLCs
Leadership development
Departmental Heads and Subject Advisors strengthen curriculum management and teacher support.
- Instructional leadership
- Supportive supervision
- Collective accountability
ICT integration
Accessible digital tools support learning in low-resource environments.
- Online and offline resources
- Digital lesson planning
- Collaboration and assessment tools
Workshop content
Practical, CAPS-aligned subject development.
Mathematics focus
- Algebraic expressions and equations
- Number patterns and statistics
- Linear functions and point-by-point plotting
- Geometry and financial mathematics
- Assessment design and learner misconceptions
Natural Sciences focus
- Atoms, compounds and the periodic table
- Chemical reactions and particle nature of matter
- Acids and bases
- Visible light, forces and energy
- Series and parallel circuits
Implementation journey
Three years from baseline to sustainable scale.
Mathematics and foundations
- Baseline assessments
- Ten days of teacher training
- Selected coaching cycles
- Mathematics resources for schools
- DH and Subject Advisor development
Natural Sciences and application
- Baseline assessment
- Ten days of teacher training
- Practical experimentation emphasis
- Science kits for selected schools
- Classroom support and leadership consolidation
Consolidation and scale
- Reinforce effective practice
- Improve system-level support
- Evaluate programme impact
- Broaden programme adoption
- Prepare districts for independent sustainability
Instructional leadership
Equipping the people who support teachers.
A five-workshop leadership pathway develops the confidence and practical capacity of Departmental Heads and District Subject Advisors.
Leading change that matters
Personal agency, adaptive leadership, feedback and the urgency for change.
Instructional core and curriculum coverage
Understanding curriculum challenges and tools for effective management.
Instructional leadership
Supportive professional conversations, accountability and teacher support.
Supervision and support
Strengthening supervision around teaching, learning and the instructional core.
Learning from assessment
Assessment cycles, trustworthy evidence and data-informed school support.
Digital inclusion
ICT designed for low-resource environments.
The programme combines accessible tools, offline options and practical digital capacity building rather than assuming reliable access to computers or connectivity.
WhatsApp PLCs
Peer communication, professional support and resource sharing.
GeoGebra and PhET
Simulations and visual tools that deepen conceptual learning.
Offline resources
USBs, preloaded content, videos and downloadable PDFs.
Digital practice
Lesson planning, multimedia, quizzes, feedback and learner tracking.
Coaching and mentoring
Professional learning that reaches the classroom.
Observe
Structured classroom observation identifies strengths and opportunities for growth.
Reflect
Feedback conversations support purposeful professional reflection.
Plan together
Co-planning connects curriculum intention with practical lesson design.
Teach together
Demonstration and co-teaching build confidence in applying new approaches.
Evidence and resources
Measure progress. Equip practice.
Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning
- Baseline, midline and endline assessment
- Attendance and participation tracking
- Classroom observation tools
- Teacher-practice and learner-performance trends
- Quarterly reporting, annual evaluation and final impact report
Training and learning materials
Resources are contextualised for rural and low-resource environments and aligned with CAPS and DBE Annual Teaching Plans.
Long-term impact
Built to endure, designed to include.
Sustainability and scale
- Capacity building of Subject Advisors
- Empowerment of Departmental Heads
- Institutionalised professional learning communities
- Reusable training and learning materials
- Independent district sustainability by Year 3
Equity and inclusion
- Gender equity in STEM
- Support for learners with barriers to learning
- Inclusion of rural and marginalised schools
- Offline options where connectivity is limited
- Context-responsive programme delivery
Programme moments
Resources, relationships and shared commitment.
Changing learner outcomes begins by strengthening the people and systems around every classroom.
Connect with CASME →Science2Go
An overview of the CASME Science2Go Mobile Resource Centre project.
First Published: September 2015, Presented by: Henre Benson (Ex-CASME Director)
Project Beneficiaries
The number of beneficiaries from the Science2Go project in 2024 are as follows:
Current Districts Reached
Current Number of Schools Reached
Current Number of Learners' Reached
Ford Science2Go Eastern Cape
South Africa’s science curriculum calls for hands-on learning, yet most schools lack the labs to support it. The Ford Science2Go project, backed by the Ford Global Fund Grant, addresses this gap by bringing essential science tools and practical workshops directly to schools in need, with a focus on the Eastern Cape. Now in its third year, this mobile resource has sparked student interest, boosted science enrollment, and improved pass rates. From immersive science activities to new math support, the program is expanding its reach and impact.
Astron Energy Science2Go KwaZulu-Natal: Empowering Education in the South Durban Basin
The Astron Energy South Africa Education Development Project is transforming education in Mathematics, Science, and English in communities around the Lubricants Manufacturing Plant in the South Durban Basin. Through hands-on training and resources, this initiative supports teachers and learners in bringing the curriculum to life—especially in under-resourced schools. From inspiring teacher collaboration to engaging with the latest in coding and robotics, this project opens up a world of possibilities for students and teachers alike.
Mahle Science2Go KwaZulu Natal: Empowering Learners through Hands-On Science Education
The Mahle Science2Go Project brings practical science education to Grades 7-9 learners, offering hands-on experiences with prescribed experiments in schools that lack fully functional labs. Launched in 2015, this mobile lab project provides equipment, expert facilitators, and support to schools in communities where Mahle employees live, including areas like Pinetown and Inanda. The project aims to inspire learners to enjoy science, pursue it at higher levels, and consider science-related careers. It also offers coding and robotics workshops to enhance the learning experience.
Inanda Newton Comprehensive School, has seen an increase in the number of learners who are choosing science streams in grade 10. This shows an increase interest in maths and science. Natural Science educators are more confident in the subject.
South32 Project: Empowering Rural Education in KwaZulu-Natal
The South32 project is making a transformative impact in King Cetshwayo District, KwaZulu-Natal, by supporting 10 rural secondary schools to drive educational growth and socio-economic development in alignment with South Africa’s National Transformation Agenda. Through focused teacher development workshops, learner coding clubs, and the innovative loaning of science resources, this initiative aims to equip educators and students in Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Coding & Robotics.
With a three-year implementation plan, the project will track and support learners as they progress into higher grades, ensuring sustained achievement in STEM fields.
KwaXolo Maths and Science Intervention Programme
The KwaXolo Maths and Science Intervention Programme is empowering educators and inspiring learners in nine high schools within the Ugu District, KwaZulu-Natal. Launched in collaboration with the KwaXolo Education Committee and CASME, and funded by Impande, the programme focuses on enhancing STEM education. Through targeted teacher training, classroom support, and exciting competitions, it aims to boost the uptake and success of Grade 10-12 learners in Maths and Physical Sciences. Since early 2023, it has positively impacted over 2,000 learners and teachers, laying the groundwork for a brighter future in STEM fields.
NPC SCEP Project: Empowering Science and Mathematics Educators in the Ugu District
Supporting teachers to overcome the challenges of teaching Science and Mathematics, the NPC SCEP Project builds on a successful partnership with Ugu District educators. This initiative, focused on the Senior Phase, extends CASME’s proven Lead Teacher methodology to Natural Sciences. Each year, selected Lead Teachers receive training to enhance subject knowledge, instructional skills, and confidence, which they share within their communities. With an inspiring emphasis on innovative teaching, lesson structuring, and collaboration, the project continues to foster impactful improvements in both teaching and learner outcomes.
Team4Tech: Enhancing STEM Education Through Digital Transformation
Team4Tech partners with CASME to drive meaningful change in STEM education for underserved communities. By blending skilled volunteer expertise, corporate partnerships, and innovative technology solutions, Team4Tech empowers CASME to make quality digital learning accessible, promoting digital literacy and STEM skills development. With a focus on sustainable impact, this collaboration includes initiatives like coding and robotics clubs for students and educators alike. Through these efforts, Team4Tech and CASME are bridging the digital divide and fostering lasting transformation in education.