A plan to encourage mathematics and science learning at high school — in a bid to boost black representation in the mining and energy sector — was forged in Pretoria on Tuesday.
A memorandum of understanding was signed between the Department of Minerals and Energy and Technikon SA, the department said in a statement.
The plan would step up efforts to expose school pupils to information about careers in the mining and energy sectors, and encourage them to study mathematics and science.
It would focus on schools in rural areas, the department said. The plan formed part of achieving the aims set out in the mining charter released earlier this year. The charter said that 40% of all management and operational control in the sector
should be filled by historically disadvantaged South Africans by 2008.
It also envisaged that 26% of mining industry assets should be owned by representatives of the same group within ten years. Broadening the skills base in the mining sector was identified as a priority.
In terms of the memorandum, the technikon would develop a manual for learners and a teachers’ guide for the development of careers in science, technology and engineering.
The plan had the support of a number of private companies, some of which had committed themselves to providing bursaries and scholarships and providing bridging training for teachers, the department said. – Sapa