Grade 11 and 12 learners in historically disadvantaged communities nationwide are approaching end-of-year maths exams with a new resource at their fingertips – the Maths 911 Textbook – thanks to a R3 million sponsorship from the Liberty Foundation.
Liberty Group has begun distribution of the 500-page workbook to 120 000 learners nationwide, ensuring a vital supplementary learning tool is available on the run-in to matric.
The loose-leaf workbook is designed to be used in conjunction with the Maths 911 live TV broadcast that puts pupils in touch with the country’s best maths teachers. The format, loose-leaf pages and binder, permits the constant update and enrichment of educational material.
Liberty Executive, Audrey Mothupi (pictured) notes: “We are delivering the workbooks to 650 schools across the country. In some cases, this may be the first maths textbook these children have seen as they prepare for matric.
“In line with Liberty Foundation policy, the initiative is designed to dovetail with government’s educational work by providing a supplementary resource that enriches the state syllabus while encouraging independent study.”
On this project, Liberty worked in partnership with the Department of Education (DoE), the Learning Channel, Boston Business College and Independent Newspapers.
Physical workbook distribution can be complemented by digital distribution as it is possible to download and print the material from the DoE website.
Educational support is the long-term focus area of the Liberty Foundation, the corporate social investment vehicle of the Liberty Group. In 30 years, it has spent R400 million on educational initiatives to assist learners in under-resourced schools and marginalised communities.
The foundation is South Africa’s largest private sector sponsor of public education.
In addition to projects such as the Maths 911 Textbook, the Liberty Foundation supports educational television, print supplements such as Matric Matters, Primary Matters and Read Right and the Mindset Network that datacasts via PC-based servers to schools, hospitals and clinics.
Maths 911 is a live broadcast on the Mindset platform, available on DSTV Channel 319 every week, Monday through till Thursday at 1700-1800.