TWO of the more than 15 senior district officers in the Gauteng Department of Education are deriving fulfilment from taking part in the Smart Young Mindz Challenge.
Known for the purposes of the challenge as facilitators, these officials are coordinating, mentoring and facilitating the success of the competition.
The challenge is open to pupils in Grades 8, 9 and 10, who seek to pursue careers in maths, science, engineering and technology.
Mzamane Nhlapo and Keith Magagane and their colleagues play a significant supportive role for teachers and pupils before they submit smart business ideas that investigate social and economic problems.
They are also a major factor during the process leading to the submission of the contestants' projects. They mentor teachers and pupils, coordinate regional eliminations which started on July 28 and are due to end on September 21.
The aim is to enhance the smooth running of the finals to be staged as a huge expo in Joburg on September 30.
Coincidentally, working in the Smart Young Mindz Challenge is a small part of their crucial work in the public education system.
"I feel fulfilled when I see more pupils improving their understanding of maths, science and technology," Nhlapo said this week.
"The challenge is to help to make the teachers' work to be much easier.
"This enhances the process of putting theory into practice, and to ensure that pupils' understanding and interpretation of maths, science, technology and engineering happens in an enjoyable manner."
Magagane echoed Nhlapo's sentiments about the challenge serving as a catalyst in the demystifying of maths, science and technology.
He said the challenge over the past few years was to improve the pupils' understanding and marksin lessons, tests and exams.
"But the challenge's impact is felt even more in schools where meaningful maths, science and technology learning and teaching is taking place," Magagane said.
"Hence we intensify our interaction with teachers and principals, to boost the pupils' understanding and appreciation of technical subjects, which are among learning areas that were previously regarded with dread."
Magagane said he was happiest when he saw pupils starting to work on their own and less under teachers' guidance on maths, science and technology-related tasks.
Challenge to young minds
TWO of the more than 15 senior district officers in the Gauteng Department of Education are deriving fulfilment from taking part in the Smart Young Mindz Challenge.
Known for the purposes of the challenge as facilitators, these officials are coordinating, mentoring and facilitating the success of the competition.
The challenge is open to pupils in Grades 8, 9 and 10, who seek to pursue careers in maths, science, engineering and technology.
Mzamane Nhlapo and Keith Magagane and their colleagues play a significant supportive role for teachers and pupils before they submit smart business ideas that investigate social and economic problems.
They are also a major factor during the process leading to the submission of the contestants' projects. They mentor teachers and pupils, coordinate regional eliminations which started on July 28 and are due to end on September 21.
The aim is to enhance the smooth running of the finals to be staged as a huge expo in Joburg on September 30.
Coincidentally, working in the Smart Young Mindz Challenge is a small part of their crucial work in the public education system.
"I feel fulfilled when I see more pupils improving their understanding of maths, science and technology," Nhlapo said this week.
"The challenge is to help to make the teachers' work to be much easier.
"This enhances the process of putting theory into practice, and to ensure that pupils' understanding and interpretation of maths, science, technology and engineering happens in an enjoyable manner."
Magagane echoed Nhlapo's sentiments about the challenge serving as a catalyst in the demystifying of maths, science and technology.
He said the challenge over the past few years was to improve the pupils' understanding and marksin lessons, tests and exams.
"But the challenge's impact is felt even more in schools where meaningful maths, science and technology learning and teaching is taking place," Magagane said.
"Hence we intensify our interaction with teachers and principals, to boost the pupils' understanding and appreciation of technical subjects, which are among learning areas that were previously regarded with dread."
Magagane said he was happiest when he saw pupils starting to work on their own and less under teachers' guidance on maths, science and technology-related tasks.
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