THE HARMONY TEACHER DEVELOPMENT COURSE 

TO ALL PRINCIPALS OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS

SOUTH AFRICAN MATHEMATICS FOUNDATION TEACHER DEVELOPMENT PROJECT 2010
 

Since 2002 the SAMF has presented a short course for teachers to improve their skills in solving Olympiad type mathematical problems. In 2009, a DVD version of the programmes were made available, especially to reach out to teachers in outlying areas and those that could not attend the LIVE taught courses.

As usual we will continue to offer an 8 hour short course LIVE in any area of South Africa where a group of 15 to 20 teachers are interested. There are 2 levels: Junior (Grades 8/9) and Senior (10/ 11/ 12). With effect January 2010 it is mandatory for ALL teachers to do the  GET Level 1 programme first as many of the strategies are expanded on in the FET course.  Organisers of interested groups may contact the SAMO office directly and arrangements will be made. Note that the programmes are entirely free.

 The DVD version of the FET and GET Courses work as follows. A pack consisting of a DVD (with 3 lectures), a workbook, a set of notes, one assignment and one test (45 min) is available to any school teacher. The test (which is not compulsory)  will be sent in a sealed envelope to the school principal.  The test will be administered by the principal and immediately despatched, together with the completed assignment,  to the address supplied. If the test is not attempted, the certificate will be endorsed as : “ ..... has undertaken a course .....”, whereas a teacher completing the test will receive a certificate worded as “ .... has successfully completed a course .....”. The certificate is upgraded to a merit certificate if an average of 75% is obtained. The names of all teachers that have succeeded in the Programme are collated on a list circulated to all schools at the beginning of each year and which is always available on the SAMF website www.samf.ac.za.

 From 2010, teachers that have passed GET LEVEL 1 may proceed to GET LEVEL 2 or FET LEVEL 1. To be admitted to FET LEVEL 1, the pre-requisite is a pass in  GET LEVEL1. Teachers that have passed FET Level 1 may apply for admission to LEVEL 2 once it becomes available.

INSTRUCTIONS TO REQUEST DVD COURSE

 The school principal should determine how many teachers would like to undertake the course and complete it. The form appearing at the back of this letter should then be completed and faxed to 0865130056. 

 We emphasise that ONLY the school principal (or DoE official such as a subject adviser) can request DVD courses. The reason is that we would not like teachers requesting course material if they are not able to complete the course. Hence the principal will specifically request courses for those committed to completing the course.  Teachers that have taken the LIVE version of the course are not eligible for the DVD course as they have been certificated. They may be eligible to undertake the LEVEL 2 versions  of the course.

 Note also, that teachers that have applied for and were sent DVD courses in 2009, but who have NOT completed such courses, should NOT request a new course until they have completed the one they have received materials for.  Additionally schools that requested courses and did NOT fetch same from their post offices are requested NOT to apply again and to contact SUPERMATHS on 031-2057885 for arrangements to repost their original application. Of course, the costs of reposting will be for the account of the schools concerned as the costs have already been paid by the sender.

 In closing, we thank you for your keen interest in promoting mathematics.

 Dr. S. Hansraj
Teacher Development Project Manager

 

SOUTH AFRICAN MATHEMATICS OLYMPIAD

TEACHER DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

DVD COURSE APPLICATION FORM

Please fill in information below or affix clear school stamp with contact details:

 

School:           ______________________________________________________

 

Address:        ______________________________________________________

 

______________________________________________________

 

Telephone:    _________________________ Fax: ___________________________

 

e-mail:            _________________________________________________________

 

The following teachers are interested in undertaking and completing the DVD Development Course:

  

*under LEVEL please fill in one of the following: GET Level 1, GET Level 2, FET Level 1.

 

The above teachers have been made aware of the need to complete the DVD programme and they have indicated their desire to do so. Note, kindly consult the booklet containing the names of successful teachers, before filling in the LEVEL. To be admitted to GET Level 2 or FET Level 1, a teacher MUST have passed GET Level 1.

  

 

________________________________                                                        ___________________________

School Principal                                                                                                                                                       Date

Project manager: Dr. S. Hansraj

For more information contact Patrick Rasehwete, tel 012 392-9348, e-mail rasehwetep@samf.ac.za