Growing future leaders of calibre for a brighter and greener world!
Our world is fast changing and so, too, must our way of teaching and learning change if we are to equip our youth to face the challenges of the future. It is not enough to merely raise the level of academic achievement if we are to grow tomorrow’s leaders for a brighter and greener world. The focus must be on the holistic development of our youth, providing them with opportunities to see themselves as the leaders of tomorrow, who are knowledgeable about global challenges and who have the values, skills and passion to work towards the future this world wants.
The generous funding from sponsors has enabled MSLA to run various educational programmes since 2006, targeting teachers, student teachers, learners and the wider community. The academic focus for the learners has continued to be on the gateway subjects: mathematics and physical science, as well as English.
The MSLA Campus strives to provide an environment that nurtures motivated and dedicated learners, and one that provides them with novel opportunities to develop skills needed in the 21st century, namely: communication, collaboration, problem-solving, innovation, research, IT and leadership.
A special goal of the Maths & Science Leadership Academy NPC is to bring hope to the youth of Kimberley and to motivate them to have a dream. The majority of youth in this province are really faced with serious challenges:
• Uninspiring and unsafe school environments in the poorer areas
• High rate of unemployment and lack of role models
• Poor socio-economic circumstances
• Lack of hope
• No recreation facilities
• High rate of teenage pregnancy
• High rate of alcohol and substance abuse
The learners in the MSLA Maths & Science Programmes are expected to reach out to those who are not as fortunate as they are and to make a difference in their schools and in their communities, thereby increasing the circle of excellence and inspiring our youth to find creative solutions to the challenges they are faced with.
The main aim of the Maths & Science Leadership Academy NPC (MSLA) is to work in partnership with the private sector, government and civil society to address the challenges facing education, with special focus on mathematics, physical science, English and skills development.
This is realised by:
- motivating, supporting and empowering teachers and student teachers
- creating a passion for mathematics and science in learners from an early age
- increasing the number of learners who take mathematics & science at FET level
- raising the level of learner achievement in mathematics, science and English
- producing students who will be a success at tertiary level in fields that are critical to growing the economy
- enabling learners to acquire the skills needed for success in the 21st century
- growing and developing future leaders of calibre
MSLA STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
- Provide Grade 9 – 12 learners from poor backgrounds, who have potential and the desire to succeed academically, with ongoing support in mathematics, science and English through afternoon classes and holiday academies.
- Provide these learners with opportunities to develop self-confidence, as well as leadership, team work, communication, research, IT, entrepreneurship and life skills through out of the box challenges, special programmes and novel opportunities.
- Motivate learners to have a dream for themselves and to DREAM BIG.
- Prepare and support learners for entrance to tertiary education through personal career guidance, job-shadowing opportunities, SET career presentations, Open Day Programmes at universities and universities of technology and access to internet for information on bursaries and application to universities.
- Inspire these learners to play their role in making a difference in education through special Youth Day and “Kids teaching Kids” programmes.
- Develop mathematics problem-solving skills in Grade 4 – 12 learners and empower teachers and student teachers through the Maths Pi-oneers Programme, so as to ensure more learners acquire skills for problem-solving and are successful at tertiary level.
- Promote STEM through fun-filled and exciting activities during National Science Week.
- Develop an understanding in parents of the importance of STEM through the “Kids teaching Parents” Programme during National Science Week and motivate them to play an active role in their children’s education.
- Create opportunities for passionate teachers to teach motivated and passionate learners.
- Create opportunities for companies, organizations and individuals to get involved in developing the youth as tomorrow’s leaders.
- Promote a spirit of collaboration with the DoE, schools and sponsors in working towards making a difference in education.
