Tutoring masters of maths
The Palabora copper mine in South Africa, through its Project for Technological Careers (Protec) and Master Maths programmes, gives previously disadvantaged, above average students access to extra lessons in mathematics, science, biology, English, technology and career guidance. The goal is to create a talent pool of technical skills in the local area that will benefit not only the mine itself but the rest of the industrial sector as well. Already some students are returning to Phalaborwa as qualified engineers and accountants.
In 2004, the Phalaborwa Protec and Master Maths centres delivered the best results for the past five years for grade 12 students in the programme. Protec students achieved a 91 per cent pass rate in mathematics and 100 per cent in science.
Protec Phalaborwa grade 12 university exemption (2000 - 2004) [accessible version]
Students from local high schools wishing to attend the Protec and Master Maths programmes at the Palabora Foundation's Education Centres in Namakgale and Lulekani write a selection test in grade 10 every year. Approximately 55 students are selected each year to attend the Protec programme for three years when lessons begin in January. In 2004 there were 382 students at the three Master Maths centres. Students attend normal school in the mornings and extra lessons at the Palabora Foundation Education Centres in the afternoons and during school holidays.
During the mid year school holidays grade 11 students attend a one week leadership school at the Schoemansdal Environmental Education Centre and industrial site visits are organised to the local companies.
Approximately half the students who graduated over the years have gone on to study engineering, science and commerce at universities and technical colleges in South Africa and some have already completed their studies and returned to work at local companies. There has been an overall improvement in the grade 12 results since 1997. The grade 12 pass rate has gone up from 26.7 per cent in 1997 to 85.4 per cent in 2004, a record pass rate
Provincial and Phalaborwa Grade 12 percentage pass rates (1997 - 2004) [accessible version]
In January 2005, 16 of these students went to the University of Pretoria to write a selection test for the university's First Year Bridging Programme. All 16 students passed the admission test and seven have been offered bursaries to study at the University of Pretoria. A further seven of this group obtained bursaries from other universities.
The major funders of the programme are Palabora Mining Company, Foskor Limited and Sasol Nitro. The Limpopo Province Department of Education, Eskom, the Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality, Standard Bank, Lepelle Northern Water and the greater Phalaborwa Principals' Association also serve on the Protec Phalaborwa Board of Management.
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