May 2021.

Working in collaboration with the Northern Cape Department of Education, Kangnas Wind Farm has announced it’s funding to providing a CAPS-aligned learner and teacher web-based platform. The programme is being rolled out across ten schools in the Nama-Khoi Municipal area, to provide ‘HeyMath’ resources and support, which will integrate technology in the classroom.

This programme focuses on achieving increased learner participation in mathematics; improving student outcomes and the quality of mathematics results; in addition to enhancing usage monitoring and support for educators.

“This is an extension of our education programme, which has a keen focus on technology capacity at schools. This is in support of advancing STEM, otherwise known as Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics, an area of multi-disciplinary education that South Africa urgently needs to apply more resources to, if we are to keep up with the 4th IR technologies in our schools,” explained Cheryl Persensie, Economic Development Manager at Kangnas Wind Farm.

The programme includes the provision of Hey Math Software as well as Training and Educator Support. This is aimed at strengthening the foundation for Grade 7 & 8 learners in Namakwa District schools and helping them continue with Mathematics in FET, by building confidence in gateway topics such as Algebra; as well as learner-focused exam revision and the provision of exam prep resources available on mobile devices which can also be accessed without internet for example, which is particularly helpful during C-19 class attendance disruption.

Benefitting schools, include Concordia Primary School; Concordia High School; Okiep High School; Okiep Primary School; Nababeep High School; Namakwaland High School ; SA Van Wyk High School; Dr. Izak Van Niekerk Primary School; Carolusberg Primary School; Matjieskloof Intermediate School.

Juliana de Jongh, Grade 8 Mathematics Teacher at Okiep High School had this to say about the programme: “The HeyMath programme is especially effective with visual learners. I am optimistic about the programme and think that our learners will perform much better in their assessments. Furthermore, I believe that they will develop a love for Mathematics through HeyMath.”

This programme follows the announcement of funding, by Kangnas Wind Farm, for the Wi-Fi installation and connectivity and e-Smart Boards, in Nama Khoi area high schools, earlier this year. Digital classroom technology, which requires Wi-Fi access, has been found to be particularly helpful for teaching high school STEM subjects as it is interactive and can project images by connecting to a computer. It allows the teachers to explain subjects in a way that learners can more easily understand as the technology is more engaging.

“Access to information and digital platforms improves the quality of education in many ways. It opens doorways to a wealth of information, knowledge, and educational resources, increasing opportunities for learning in and beyond the classroom. Teachers use online materials to prepare lessons, and students to extend their range of learning. Interactive teaching methods, supported by the internet, enable teachers to give more attention to individual students’ needs and support shared learning. Furthermore, access to the Internet helps educational administrators to reduce the costs and improve the quality of services at schools,” concluded Persensie