Dr Kenneth Ngcoza, a science educator from the Rhodes Education Department, and Mrs Joyce Sewry from the Chemistry Department, are just two of Rhodes lecturers working together to help learners love and excel in physical science and maths.
The Khula (‘to grow’ in isiXhosa) team have been working with the top science learners in Grade 10 from five historically disadvantaged High Schools in Grahamstown. At their end of year function, the passionate Dr Ngcoza proudly stood up before the learners and congratulated them on their hard work throughout the year.
He further urged the group of around 40 learners to read a novel over the holidays. “The secret to understanding subjects which are thought to be difficult is reading and language,” he emphasised. Later on he quipped: “Leave Facebook and go read a novel!”
The Khula Project organisers liaise with teachers at the schools to aid and assist learners in the sciences? after-school. It has largely been a collaborative effort, particularly between the different faculties, with, among others, Chief Education Specialist Mr Leo Goosen and Mr Reuben Maselwa, a science subject advisor, adding valuable input.
Administrative support is provided by Mrs Mary-Jane Jackson and Ms Natasha de Souza from the Professional Development Centre at the Education Department. Miss Vicky Campbell, Dr Ngcoza’s PGCE Physical Science Method student who also attended the function, excelled with teaching the Khula Project learners this year.
Initially, the Khula Project team were faced with breaking through the misperception that science and maths are difficult subjects. This has changed, as the 40 odd learners enthusiastically agree that they have enjoyed the year. The outspoken Xolisa Pongolo of Nombulelo Secondary School said: “We were well taken care of.”
Dr Ngcoza said the learners are very committed to the project and the plan is for the learners to become lab assistants at their schools as often fully stocked laboratories go unused because no one knows how to set up experiments or use the equipment. On the cards for next year is to learn how to use computers, become more actively involved in SciFest Africa, Science Expo and to tackle the Grade 10 to 12 curricula.
One of the learners, Boko McVay stood up and thanked the projects leaders and their teachers for all their help. “We cannot just hold our education in our minds, we need to hold it and embrace it,” added McVay.
Pic: Grade 10 Learners from various High Schools in Grahamstown.