6 March 2008 - Mark is interviewed by the South African newspaper (Beeld) about the recent completion of the FHSST Maths and Science books (in Afrikaans)

Maths, science teachers concern

By Colleen Dardagan

More than half of South Africa's current maths and science teachers are not properly qualified, contributing to the country's massive skills shortage as would-be engineers fail to meet academic and industry standards.

Science and Technology Minister Mosibudi Mangena told delegates at the National Society for Black Engineers' conference in Durban on Thursday that more than 56 percent of the country's maths and science teachers were not properly qualified.

For more information on the merger of Maskew Miller Longman (MML) and Heinemann and how it affects the SA publishing industry take a look at the Mail & Guardian article at the following link:

http://www.mg.co.za/articlePage.aspx?articleid=317424&area=/insight/insight__national/

We got an article in the Science in Africa magazine - take a look at:

http://www.scienceinafrica.co.za/2006/september/textbooks.htm

So FHSST made the newspapers in South Africa! Well done everyone!

http://www.thestar.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=3435294

After the actual day the paper was released you need to be a subscriber to access the article so here is the full text of the article - there was also a large picture of Jaynie hard at work at her computer to go with it:

Free textbooks for the pupils, by the pupils
New initiative aims to make education accessible to all, in more ways than one

September 13, 2006 Edition 1

Carol Campbell

Science and mathematics education in SA will be given a major boost next year when specially developed, free textbooks are released.

Hi All

I came across this story about basic literacy in SA:

http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=13&art_id=qw1158008222448B232

The minister of education realises the importance of literacy:

"Reading, writing and numeracy must be daily activities in every classroom... Not addressing these dooms our children to inadequacy and mediocrity," the minister said.

Mark

A report has been posted on the SA Department of Education website summarising the state of the new curriculum if anyone is interested, you can find the announcement here:

http://www.education.gov.za/dynamic/dynamic.aspx?pageid=310&id=2151

I picked a few quotes from it that motivate me to continue and to give you a flavour for things:
Books still matter (see the attached Problems.png file at the bottom for the plot) ...

Nonetheless, fees were reported to be the number two problem amongst 7 to 18 year olds attending school in 2003, behind a lack of books.