TEACH Ambassadors

Objective

To improve the quality of maths and science education in regions where African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) operates.

Overview and Main Activities

African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) partners with TEACH South Africa, an organization that recruits, trains and places top graduates from fields outside of education, into under-resourced schools as full-time teachers for a minimum of two years. These “TEACH Ambassadors” are top university graduates with Engineering & Science degrees and serve as inspirational teachers and role models, and work to improve the shortage of technical skills. ARM partners with TEACH SA in regions where ARM operates to improve the quality of math and science education and respond to the lack of technical skills.

The public-private partnership model that TEACH SA has with the Department of Education contributes significantly to the sustainability of the programme. The Department of Education endorses the TEACH SA programme and jointly oversee and administer the programme with TEACH SA through a steering committee and an operational committee.

ARM provides support to TEACH SA by funding Postgraduate Certificates in Education and resources such as computer rooms, libraries and school uniforms. ARM is also engaged in the recruitment, selection and facilitation of leadership training courses for TEACH Ambassadors, providing professional development opportunities to TEACH Ambassadors (in the form of internships and potential placements after they have completed the TEACH programme and coaching and mentoring for TEACH Ambassadors).

The programme reflects South Africa’s objective to: (i) improve proficiency in reading, writing and numeracy, (ii) address the challenges arising from a shortage of qualified teachers, particularly in maths and sciences and, (iii) address imbalances in teacher-student ratios. The programme targets historically under- resourced areas in particular; as progress in maths and sciences has stalled (higher grade maths is not offered at all).

Success Factors and Challenges

Most critical success factors:

• TEACH SA operational model
• Programme encourages teaching alumni to campaign for improved education in South Africa after their tenure

Main challenges:

• Lack of administration in schools
• Language barrier: the Ambassadors teach in English whereas most teaching and learning is in Afrikaans
• Living conditions: there is a scarcity of accommodation particularly in the Northern Cape rural areas
• Ambassadors are called on to teach in areas where teachers do not want to go.
• Lack of teaching resources
• Inadequate infrastructure: especially transport

Replicability and Scalability

How easily could other organizations implement this initiative?
Difficult: There are difficulties in implementation due to administration challenges in schools.

How easily can this initiative be expanded to include a larger number of participants?
Easy: The programme can leverage the talent of recent tertiary graduates from all disciplines as educators within rural disadvantaged schools.

About the Organization

Website: www.arm.co.za
Sector: Mining and Metals
Size (number of employees): 10,000 – 50,000
Headquarters: Sandton, South Africa