EDUCATION
UFS laying the foundations for a regional centre of excellence in science and mathematics education

I always give credit to the wisdom and visionary leadership of the two organisations, SANRAL and UFS, for mastering what has eluded many who are committed to change in education in this country. While many agree that to address the challenges of improving the quality of teaching and learning in science and mathematics in the majority of schools in South Africa requires more than just a onedimensional intervention from this or that stakeholder, few have found creative ways to do it.
The SANRAL Chair is premised on a multi-pronged intervention that includes doing cutting-edge research in science and mathematics education, postgraduate training of Master’s and PhD graduates to provide highly skilled practitioners and researchers, recruiting and supporting talented high school students into the teaching profession, building and supporting professional communities of teachers (in each school, circuit and district) through ongoing and targeted subjectbased professional development in science and mathematics; and finally dissemination of research findings and lessons from practice through publications, seminars, colloquia and conferences.
The dual focus on both research and practice in science and mathematics education, or the

targeting of preservice and in-service teachers, or even the development of high-level The dual focus on both research and practice in science and mathematics education is what makes the SANRAL Chair initiative truly multi-dimensional

personpower in the form of PhDs in tandem with the recruitment and support of newly graduated high school students who want to be teachers of science and mathematics, is what makes the SANRAL Chair initiative a truly multidimensional and unique intervention in science and mathematics education in the country.
In its three years of existence, since the launch in September 2014, the SANRAL Chair has supported and produced 15 PhDs and six Master’s graduates in science, mathematics, technology and educational leadership studies. Many of the SANRAL Chair graduates have moved on to become key players in the education sector and continue to be movers and shakers in society. Among its prominent graduates or students, the SANRAL Chair counts two heads of department at different universities in South Africa and Zimbabwe, two teacher-education college principals in Zimbabwe, a Deputy Director-General in the National Department of Education in South Africa, a mathematics teacher of the year

awardee, and a district director whose district has been recognised by the National Minister of Education as officials from at least three countries in the region, namely South Africa, Lesotho and Zimbabwe. The sheer scale of recruitment at this level, together with the regional distribution of the candidates, would never have been possible without the financial contribution of the SANRAL Chair endowment.
To say the Chair is making a contribution to changing the landscape in science, mathematics and technology education in South Africa and the region, is no exaggeration. The possibility of establishing and launching a regional centre of excellence in science, mathematics and technology education to service the entire SADC pool of countries is no longer just a pipe dream, thanks to the seed funding from the SANRAL Chair endowment.

Professor Loyiso Jita is the SANRAL
Chair and the Dean of the Faculty of Education at the University of the Free State
Up close with...

Brian Nkwanyana

Brian, 30, who completed his BSc Honours in Civil Engineering at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) in 2017, joined the Technical Excellence Academy (TEA) programme in July last year.
He had heard about the SANRAL bursary and five-year training programme from his friends at university and applied at once. “No one in my family could have afforded to pay my fees,” he says. “SANRAL was the only company that came to my rescue. They took over my studies and paid for my meals, tuition, residence, stationery and electronics – and even gave me an allowance! This helped a lot, because it lessened the burden on my grandmother, who raised a family of five with just a pension grant.”
Brian grew up in KwaHlabisa, a rural area gripped by poverty. “It was hard growing up in a family where my grandmother was the only breadwinner,” he says.
SANRAL provides mentorship and practical training in road and bridge design for graduate candidate engineers. This training programme was introduced to equip candidates with the necessary skills and competencies to register as professionals with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) within a five-year timeframe. In his spare time, Brian tutors high school pupils, inspiring young people to take an interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
“I have always loved engineering and I am a person who is passionate about developing and assisting people, especially people from previously disadvantaged backgrounds. I also tutor matriculants in my area in maths and science.”
Brian believes there is a shortage of people of colour in the engineering sector and he wants to help change that.

  Building South Africa through better roads