With school exam season fast approaching, mobile operator 8ta is teaming up with media group Primedia and other partners to launch a nationwide maths and science revision campaign, to be shown in SterKinekor theatres, to help disadvantaged Grade 12 learners.
The “theatre of learning concept”, wherein each revision session will be filmed from a single venue, will engage learners in entertaining and educational networking opportunities that are simultaneously broadcast in 15 SterKinekor theatres nationwide.
The EDUC8 revision sessions will run every Sunday from 31 July until 1 October. Subject experts will be available at each movie venue to assist and answer questions from the learners.
“As a relatively new brand, 8ta will continue to identify projects that afford us the opportunity to make a positive difference in our communities,” 8ta marketing executive Stephen Blewett said in a statement last week. “We all need to acknowledge that maths and science education is the foundation for so many jobs in our economy.
“Increasingly these subjects are a critical component of getting ahead and 8.ta is proud to be part of this youth initiative.”
Passionate about youth development
Schools selected to attend the revision sessions hail from the Department of Basic Education’s list of previously disadvantaged schools, most of which are based in townships.
BHP Billiton will be funding buses to transport the learners to the various cinemas. They will also provide pre recorded DVDs for learners in rural areas who are unable to attend the revision classes.
“BHP Billiton has sponsored this initiative by chauffeuring the children to and from the cinemas because we are passionate about youth development,” said BHP Billiton South Africa chairman Xolani Mkhwanazi. “If we are to transform South Africa, pushing it to greater heights than ever before, giving all who live here equal opportunities to grow and succeed, then we need to start at the beginning.
“We need to start with education.”
Maths and science foundation critical
8ta will also provide refreshments and Samsung will distribute comprehensive summary of study notes to all learners attending. Gifts such as cell phones, scientific calculators, math sets and stationery will be given to the learners.
Through an organisation called Studietrust, five bursaries from the Sasol Inzalo Foundation have been secured to be given to qualifying project participants.
Samsung’s regional head of corporate citizenship, Ntutule Tshenye, pointed out that a strong maths and science foundation was critical for students to secede in the engineering field, as well as in many other careers.
“Through the Educ8 Matric Maths and Science Revision program we are raising awareness of the importance of Maths and Science and providing students with the opportunity to improve their performance in these subjects,” Tshenye said. “We believe that these kinds of sustainable partnerships are fundamental to the development of Africa’s future thought leaders.”
One of Samsung’s goals is to develop 10 000 Electronic Engineers across Africa by 2015, through its Samsung Engineering Academy.
End of year exams around the corner
Primestars Marketing MD Martin Sweet said the country’s economy could not be strengthened unless there was a commitment to improving skills and expertise of the youth, and urged matrics to take advantage of the initiative.
“Heita matrics, improve your marks in math and science. The end of year examinations are just around the corner and this is an initiative to help you prepare yourselves,” he said.
Primestars, a division of Primedia, makes use of SterKinekor theatres for brands to build communities of learning, conducting dialogues simultaneously across the country.
Learners wishing to register to attend the revision sessions at a Ster Kinekor cinema, or principals or teachers who would like more information, can call 081 445 9233.
Alternatively SMS your name, contact number and school to 081 445 9233 and you will be contacted. You can also register by sending an e-mail to matricrevision@gmail.com. Seats are limited.
Article by www.southafrica.info
