Under the 'skills' sub-category, the quality of the nation's maths and science education comes in last place, behind the likes of Haiti, Lesotho, Chad, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, and Kenya.
Recent figures on mathematics in schools show that poor South African pupils might face a bleak future because the country's education system was still not treating them equally, according to Equal Education. In a Parliamentary response, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga revealed that at least one in four schools around the country did not offer mathematics for Grades 10 to 12.
With this in mind, and in an effort to improve the level of maths and science at schools, the Community Chest hosted the Thales Science Quest 2015 finale at the Cape Town Science Centre where 80 learners from six participating schools competed for the grand prize. The schools involved were Sizimisele, Joe Slovo, Khanyolwethu, Malibu High, Forest Heights High, and Kleinvlei High.
The Quest involved more than 1,200 Grade 9 learners from the six selected schools and formed part of the Thales corporate social investment five-year project 'Fast-tracking Pathways to Success' programme.
Community Chest CEO, Lorenzo Davids, said the aim of the programme was to help build the capacity of schools to improve their performance in maths and basic science subjects.
"There is no denying that we need to promote science, technology, engineering, and mathematics - what educationalists refer to as STEM - in our schools if we are to become a competitive nation," said Davids. "The Science Quest is just such an initiative to encourage learners to engage with science subjects. It is specifically aimed at inspiring learners to choose maths and science subjects in their Grade 10 year."
"Thales is excited to have the opportunity of investing in STEM's education through this project and creating opportunities for learners to pursue careers in the sciences," Thales director of Marketing and Sales, Joe Musandiwa, said.
The winner took home an android tablet - worth R2,500 - while the respective science teacher received a R1,000 Canal Walk gift voucher. Second prize was a R1,000 Canal Walk voucher and R500 for coming third.
