The revision programme will run for ten consecutive weeks, assists students from disadvantaged backgrounds with matric revision through Maths and Science tutoring at cinemas throughout the country, in the run-up to the matric exams. To date, more than 156,000 seats have been occupied by aspiring Grade 12 learners wishing to improve their chances of qualifying for study at tertiary institutions.
"South Africa's skills shortages are widely acknowledged as a key factor hindering the achievement of the country's targeted economic growth. The reasons for this skills shortage are numerous, complex and often disputed. But what is no longer in dispute is that an increased focus on Maths and Science studies is to the country's advantage," Kea' Modimoeng, Public Affairs and Corporate Citizenship manager for Samsung Electronics Africa, said.
"Our core business relies heavily on being able to access skilled people in the engineering and technological fields - so improving Maths and Science performance at schools in the communities in which we operate is a rational solution, and one that works towards alleviating the national skills crisis," Modimoeng added.
The eduCate initiative comprises revision sessions that are broadcast simultaneously to a network of 14 digitised cinemas across the country. Each of the ten on-screen lessons are complemented by a workbook/toolkit. The initiative continues to expand year on year and, for the first time, the project will run in all nine provinces.
The sessions are facilitated by subject matter specialists at each cinema, who interact with learners on the educational content. They also answer any questions the learners may have. The sessions and content are designed to engage and entertain learners as they study.
Recently, the World Economic Forum's Global Information Technology Report ranked South Africa's Maths and Science education last out of 148 countries in the world.
"This should be our wake-up call. It is imperative for the corporate sector to step up and work with government to accelerate the process of creating a skilled nation and become partners in learning," concluded Modimoeng.
