Honeywell sponsorship for science teachers
November 2009
News
The Osizweni Education and Development Centre in Secunda is a centre with a difference. One of its mandates is to find young students with a flair for science and maths from the surrounding communities and offer assistance to them to pursue their studies through hands-on mentorship with a vision of returning them to their communities as qualified science and maths teachers. Here it is hoped they will become influential role models in the classroom, offering support and encouragement to the next generation of young students and encouraging them to focus on maths and science as career subjects.
The efforts of the Centre and its Education and Learning manager, Dr Rufus Wesi, caught the attention of the Honeywell Southern Africa head office in Johannesburg. Honeywell, which has a large operation working out of Secunda, decided to support this initiative by sponsoring the science and maths students. It is now in its third year of sponsorship with four students currently enrolled at Osizweni.
Dr Rufus Wesi
Dr Rufus Wesi says, “We are thrilled with Honeywell’s interest in the development of science and maths students from the Mpumulanga area. They have sponsored their studies, textbooks and materials as well as a small living allowance during their formal training at Osizweni where we mentor them through their Bsc (UNISA) studies.
“We believe that teacher competence and influence in the classroom is crucial to the development of science and maths teachers of the future. Many students are of the opinion that these subjects are too hard for them to grasp or out of their reach to pursue. It is our contention that this is not so, and with sponsorship from the likes of Honeywell, we believe it assists greatly in enabling those with good grades in these subjects to reach their goals, and upon graduation, return to their communities to teach in local schools and ‘give back’ to the next generation of students through their positive experience.”
Honeywell is currently one of the biggest stakeholders in Osizweni Education and Development Centre and sits on the Board of Trustees. The centre has a 76% pass rate, of which 25% is with distinction. The students complete the three year UNISA Bsc and then undertake one year of post-graduate study in education. The company also took part in the recent National Science Week held at the Centre in August, and supports the objective of putting well qualified science and maths teachers back into the regions classrooms.
For more information contact Debbie Rae, Honeywell Southern Africa, +27 (0)11 695 8000, [email protected], www.honeywell.co.za
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