Government has initiated an innovative project that aims to improve the statistical and numerical literacy of school learners and raise awareness of the national population census.
The Census@School project is aimed at learners between grades three and 12 and will teach them to gather vital statistical information about themselves. As part of the census, learners from a sample of 10% of South African schools will complete a questionnaire answering questions about their shoe size, height and favourite sport and subject.
Speaking at the launch of the project at the Pro Arte Alphen Park High School in Pretoria, finance minister Trevor Manuel highlighted the importance of Maths literacy among school children, especially under the current economic climate. Mathematical literacy is a new subject introduced in 2006 for grade 10 to 12 learners and focuses on teaching everyday maths. For instance, how to work out percentages or work out their budgets.
“I think that we understand that the complexities in the economy will require higher mathematical skills,” said Manuel.
Manuel conceded that maths was a tough subject to learn and teach, but he stressed that it is important for learners to be involved in the project because the outcomes of the questionnaires would help government take certain decisions.
The census will be conducted between April 14 and 24, and by April 28, information relating to three areas – namely personal, household and school information – will be collected from the various selected schools. A preliminary report is expected by the end of July.
Statistician General Pali Lehohla said the purpose of the project was to raise awareness on numeracy among pupils.
“The world is increasingly becoming an information society and South Africa cannot lag behind and we do lag behind as far as Maths is concerned. We need to become a numeric society”.
The project, first launched in 2001, was initiated by Statistics SA in collaboration with the department of education after a similar type of initiative was launched successfully in the United Kingdom.