IN addition to contributing to the country’s clean energy mix, two Eastern Cape wind farms are also doing their bit to improve numeracy and literacy levels in the province.
Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm’s Foundation Phase programme is funding the training of maths coaches and school maths clubs.
“There has been a growing recognition of the importance of the early years for the acquisition of mathematics skills in our schools, a strong foundation is needed if children are to be successful in learning mathematics at higher grades,” said the wind farm’s Economic Development Director Hlengiwe Radebe.
The programme will be phased in, with 12 schools across Hankey, Patensie, Sea Vista and Jeffreys Bay being invited to participate in the first phase of the project, commencing with Grade 4 in the first year. This will extend to Grade 5 in the second year and Grade 6 the year after, at which stage it is expected that evidence can be collected as to the impact on learners.
“We know that that learners acquire learning deficits in their early years of schooling which snowball into larger deficits in higher grades and as these gaps grow, remediation becomes more and more difficult, which is why our programme will target Grade 4 first,” added Radebe.
The ultimate aim of the maths clubs is to inspire confidence and competence to deal with any mathematical situation without being hindered by a fear of mathematics; to gain an appreciation for the subject and to foster a spirit of curiosity and an interest.
In another initiative, what was previously an unused classroom has been renovated and converted into a lively and engaging library for the 400 pupils of the Ikhwezi Lokusa Primary School, thanks to funding from the Noupoort Wind Farm.
“A school library is a fundamental resource for supporting students’ learning, a key support for teaching staff and is central to learning as well as being a place for encouraging innovation, curiosity, and problem solving,” said the wind farm’s Economic Development Manager Livhuwani Nwachukwu.
Umsobomvu Mayor Mzwandile Toto recently cut the ribbon to commemorate the opening of the new facility which includes all the necessary shelving, cabinets and other furnishings. In addition to the renovation and stocking the library with books, the wind farm provided a computer centre with new desk top equipment to support learner education.
“The library and computer lab is having a hugely positive and motivating impact on our learners who are now able to explore additional sources of information and research additional material for school projects”, said school Principal NG Somi.
This is not the first time that Noupoort Wind Farm has assisted local school libraries. In 2015, R30 000’s worth of books were donated to Eureka Primary School. The books included Grade R – 7 Afrikaans curriculum books, teacher aids and activity books. This was the first time that the library had received new books since the school was founded almost 50 years ago.
“School libraries make a difference to learners’ understanding, are an important part of the school community and assist in helping to improve literacy,” added Nwachukwu.