𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶 𝗩𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝘄𝗻, 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮
OUR MATH TUTORING PROGRAM
Why Math?
An International Math and Science Study (TIMSS) conducted by the Human Sciences Research Council and Minister of Basic Education reveals that students attending non-paying schools and living in low-income areas statistically receive lower scores on their TIMSS test than those attending highly funded schools. Students in the Philippi township struggle with math and science due to a lack of STEM resources and outstanding family commitments. Most Philippi students do not have access to a computer or stable Wifi, and therefore cannot use educational computer software that helps with math equations and science problems. The pandemic shutdown has drastically set back the learners’ education as they were unable to enter Amandla’s community center (the Safe Space) and had very little access to stable wifi and reliable technology.
Our Programs
We meet with learners in Amandla’s Safe Space; we work with 10-12th graders. Usually, we have 4 Awethu team members leading a math tutoring session, and we rotate tutoring leaders depending on their availability that given day. Students in their last year of secondary school will sit for their final exams in early November, which largely determines whether or not they will graduate.
Our work with the students covers standard arithmetic, algebra, geometry, financial literacy, and the natural sciences. Our goal is to prepare learners for success within their given curriculums and to help them not only pass but excel at their final exams!
Challenges and Successes
Since we are meeting over Zoom, we often have internet connection issues. To combat this, we ask that the Amandla project managers send us a photo of the students’ math problems a day in advance— this way if we are disconnected from the students, we can create and send a video of us explaining the math problem on a paper or whiteboard. Last year, all of the students who attended our Math Tutoring Program passed their final exams!