Social Innovation Project Profilesfor Common Good First Digital Network

Reimagine your future – this site provides a bank of ideas to spark and promote social innovation, building on what we have in our communities.

1. Project Organisation: Rhodes University2. Project Name: South African Numeracy Chair Project (SANCP)3. Project Location: Grahamstown, Eastern Cape4. Project start date: January 20115. Describe the project in one sentence: We are a hub of mathematical

activity, passion & innovation that blends teacher & learner ‌ numeracy development with research in mathematics education in Grahamstown and South Africa.

6. What is the challenge you aim to address? (2 sentences)

Our project aims to address the issue of the backlog in learners’ mathematical knowledge which is evident in the Department of Basic Education’s systemic analysis of its own Annual National Assessments and which mirror the findings of regional and international comparison studies. Additionally, research has found that learners fail to progress beyond one-to-one counting methods, well into the intermediate phase because of a predominance of concrete over abstract

methods of calculating in most primary classrooms; such practices inhibit coherent development of number sense and efficient arithmetic strategies.

7. How does this project seek to address the challenge? (3-5 sentences)

The aim of the project is twofold and focuses on a dialectical relationship between development and research. In development terms, the project team is focused on improving the quality of numeracy teaching at primary level and improving learner performance in mathematics in primary schools as a result of quality teaching and learning. In research terms, the team is charged with providing leadership in growing the numeracy research field in ways that point to sustainable solutions to the many challenges faced in South Africa and beyond.

8. What assets (skills, capabilities and resources) were you able to draw from the community for this project?

The project draws on the experience of local in-service teachers, Head of Departments, principals, district and provincial Department of Education officials whose focus is on mathematics education, and Rhodes University Education staff. As far as possible, our resources are sourced and purchased through local businesses.

9. What has this project achieved so far? (3-5 sentences)

Since 2011, these have been our key projects and interventions from a development point of view:Teacher Development:

NICLE (2011 to 2015): 5 year teacher development programme focussing on bridging the gap between grade 3 and 4.

After school maths club Pushing for Progression teacher development programme (2016 onwards).

Early Number Fun Grade R programme (2016/2017): an 18 month teacher development programme for Grade R teachers.

eNICLE (2017/2018) Grade 1 and 2 programme: an 18 month teacher development programme for Grade 1 to 2 teachers.

Out of school time and families:

After school maths club programme in local schools and aftercare centres such as Lebone Centre, St Mary’s Development and Care Centre, Child Welfare, Sun City and Assumption Convent.

Family maths events at schools and aftercare centres, and Family Maths Story Time (with Grade R learners and their parents)

10. Information about the Project Activity and photographs to illustrate: (250-300 words)

These images mirror the development projects listed above.

11. Contact details of the project: (what the project is willing to share online)

All of our project work (both developmental and research) is available free from our website. All teacher development, maths club and family resources are available for download without registration or payment.

12. Links to project web resources: (if applicable)

Website: www.ru.ac.za/sanc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RUSANC/

13. SHARE this Project (have a button visitors can share this site with others)

Visit our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RUSANC/