Get Set! (girls education and training for science engineering and technology) is a DA Military Aircraft CSI education programme initiated in September 2001 in conjunction with Protec (project technology). Over the past 18 years, Protec has successfully run programmes to increase the number of school leavers from disadvantaged communities who successfully embark on careers in science, engineering and technology. The Get Set! programme uses a similar approach but involves girls from township schools exclusively.
The Get Set! project is in its first year of operation and involves girls, who are currently in grade 10 from 12 out of 14 Tembisa secondary schools. The concern to increase the participation rate in science and technology by South African women must be seen against a backdrop of other educational issues.
South African school learners performed worse in science and mathematics than any other country that participated in the Third International Maths and Science Study. In more recent studies, South African children performed worse than their peers in other African Countries. Analysis of the 2000 matric shows very low delivery rates of matriculants with maths and science. A mere 3,9% of matric candidates passed higher-grade maths and only 4,7% passed higher grade science in 2000.
Research shows that, while the performance of girls in science and maths education in South African schools is equal to that of boys, there is a far higher drop out rate by the end of schooling and an extremely wide difference in registration of girls for post-matric science and technology studies. This situation is worse for African girls. Even taking into account the problems in science and maths education, statistically the level of participation by girls is still 30% less than expected.
Purpose of the programme
* It aims to prepare and encourage participating girls to embark on science, engineering and technical-based careers.
* To pilot and develop a science engineering and technology educational model that can be replicated in other communities.
Project introduction to schools
The school principals and mathematics and science educators attended a meeting at DA Military Aircraft on the 18/09/2001. A briefing about the project took place and principals were also invited to make suggestions. School principals were further invited to make a commitment to the project in writing.
Learners
The girls who were in Grade 9 in 2001 and taking maths and physical science were invited to write an essay about themselves, what they knew about the project and why they thought they should be selected. Panel interviews took place in October 2001. The interviewing panel consisted of DA Military aircraft female engineers, protec facilitators and training and development officers. 40 girls were provisionally selected pending their end of year results.
The orientation of the 40 girls took place on 26 January 2002, the learning programme started on 2 February 2002. The committee consisting of parents was also formed at the orientation programme. Thus far the girls are progressing well and have shown signs of exceptional commitment to their studies. Each girl will participate for three years. Participation will involve over 60 days per year or 180 days over the initial 3-year period.
For more information contact Nontobeko Mabude, Projects Manager, Protec, 011 339 1451.
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