WeeklySA_AdminOBJECTIVE: EduCate uses cinemas as an educational tool of learning nationally to make science, technology and mathematics
By Mpikeleni Duma
EduCate, a public-private partnership between youth development non-profit organisation Primestarts, Department of Basic Education and various sponsors, launched its 2023 programme roll-out in Johannesburg yesterday.
Announcing the initiative at a media launch, Primestars managing director Martin Sweet says EduCate uses cinemas as an educational tool of learning nationally to make science, technology and mathematics (STEM) more accessible to students.
“In so doing, our objective was to revolutionise the way we teach, making STEM (Science, Technology and Mathematics) subjects more accessible, engaging and relevant to learners,” said Sweet.
The cinema screenings are made up of 10 pre-recorded revision sessions, five in Mathematics and five in science. These sessions cover the entire matric curriculum and are aimed at preparing South Africa youth from under-resourced areas for their final matric and science examinations.
Students also have access to dedicated maths and science textbooks, teacher network, an extended rural footprint and free WhatsApp support with digital content and online lessons of Primestars digital. This is to ensure that learners from schools that cannot access the cinema tutorial are still able to benefit.
In 2022 Educate reached over 40 000 matric learners in high schools from under-resourced communities across South Africa.
According to Sweet, an impact report that was commissioned to track the result of the 2023 Educate cohort showed a minimum average of 15 percent improvement in participating students’ results. Lethiwe Hlatshwayo, Cell C corporate affairs and communications executive head, told the gathering attended also by more 50 matric class of 2023 that the mobile company was proud to announce the continuation of a three-year partnership with Primestars to deliver the #BackingTheClasOf2023 revision educate programme, which is geared towards helping nationwide learners complete their matric.
“The programme demonstrates Cell C’s ongoing commitment to empowering the youth,” said Hlatshwayo. She added: “Cell C is passionate about youth and education as we see the development of youth and education as the foundation for growth, of not only young people realising their full potential, but also for the country’s wellbeing. Our three-year partnership with Primestars reinforces our commitment to nurturing the potential that lies among South Africa’s youth.”
Buti Manamela, Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, urged matric learners to use every opportunity to pass maths and science. He said, during his time (as a student), there were no such facilities and his mathematics grade was low, as a result.
“I only understood Mathematics properly when better facilities were made available. So, please use this opportunity so that you must not perform like me at matric,” urged Manamela.
Singer Theo Kgosinkwe entertained the ecstatic crowd of learners who danced for his music. In his words of encouragement, he advised the learners to study together and identify their strengths.
Sabelo Mtshali, also known as Dj Sabby and was a master of ceremonies, encouraged the learners to pass their subjects and that education was important.
