Zenex Foundation

Today, on International Day of Mathematics, we celebrate one of the most famous numbers in the world - π (Pi)! At the Zenex Foundation, we are reminded that learning mathematics can be engaging and fun, just like tucking into a good piece of pie. But results show that as a country, we do not perform well in mathematics. We must work together to support our learners to improve performance in mathematics. Fun fact: If you take the circumference (the distance around) any circle and divide it by its diameter (the distance across), you always get π - about 3.14. So basically, every round pie is secretly a maths lesson in disguise! 🤯

Today, Zenex Foundation is proud to host a Seminar on Early Grade Mathematics Education! We have invited education practitioners to participate in a vital discussion on the challenges facing Early Grade Mathematics Education in South Africa. Our Panellists include: ·       Prof. Nosisi Feza - Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Postgraduate Studies at University of Venda ·       Dr Kim Porteus - Director at The Nelson Mandela Institute for Education & Rural Development, University of Fort Hare ·       Prof. Nicky Roberts - Director at Kelello Consulting/Collectives ·       Mr Gary Powell - Senior Education Specialist, Schools Development Unit at the University of Cape Town This seminar will explore insights from Zenex-funded projects, shedding light on key issues such as: ·       Teacher capacity ·       Backlogs in learning ·       Limited resources ·       Curriculum gaps ·       Assessment ·       Systemic issues We will explore sustainable solutions and discuss ways to build stronger foundations for mathematics education. Together, we are working towards empowering future generations with the skills they need to thrive. #EarlyGradeMathematics #BuildingStrongFoundations

Join our WEBINAR| Addressing the Learning Crisis in Senior Phase Education   We are proud to host a webinar to discuss the growing and urgent learning crisis in Senior Phase Education. This, as the Senior Phase of education is facing a critical challenge: low levels of learning outcomes that have persisted for years.   These gaps, starting from the early grades, worsen as learners progress, leading to some of the worst performances in our schooling system.   While the Foundation Phase is crucial, understanding the unique challenges of the Senior Phase is equally important. JOIN our Webinar NOW where we’ll dive into learning backlogs, curriculum challenges, and policy issues. Hear from officials from the Department of Basic Education, academics, and specialist practitioners as we explore innovative solutions to uplift this vital stage of education.   Join us through this link: https://lnkd.in/einTkYqZ   Let’s work together to bridge the learning gap! #ZenexFoundation #SeniorPhaseEducation #LearningOutcomes #EducationMatters

Building on a Foundation: Strategic Priorities for South Africa’s New Education Administration As South Africa embarks on a new chapter following the recent national elections, it is an opportune moment to reflect on the past 15 years of progress in our education sector and to delineate strategic priorities moving forward. In the spirit of the Government of National Unity (GNU), Minister Gwarube has tabled her department’s budget vote for the 2024/25 financial year in the National Assembly in Cape Town. Our CEO, Gail Campbell, joined Marcelle Gordon on eNCA to give commentary and expand more on strategic priorities for this administration and what the focus areas should be to ensure that our education system equips our children and teachers for future prosperity. You can watch the full interview here: https://lnkd.in/drMmuS7E

The incoming Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube recently tabled her department’s focus areas and strategies to improve access to quality of basic education in SA. To give insight and commentary, Gail Campbell, our CEO at Zenex Foundation, joined clarence ford from Cape Talk Radio to expand more on strategic priorities for this administration and what the focus areas should be to ensure that our education system equips our children and teachers for future prosperity. Listen to the conversation here: https://lnkd.in/dSCGmdN4

Zenex supports mother tongue instruction and recognises its role in achieving positive learning outcomes. Our commitment is informed by evidence from local and international research that learners perform best when they learn in a language they are most familiar with, often their mother tongue. This commitment underpins our support of the BuaLit initiative that clearly spells out bi/multilingual and mother tongue based bi/multilingual education. The BuaLit pamphlets also help schools understand how to develop a school language policy. Department of Basic Education International Education Funders Group (IEFG) Independent Philanthropy Association of South Africa Lauren Fok Naledi Mbude Catherine Langsford Read more:  https://lnkd.in/dRd3eDwH

📢 RE-ADVERTISEMENT: TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR A DATA COLLECTION SERVICE PROVIDER for the Funda Uphumelele National Reading Study (FUNRS). FUNRS will be the first study to develop language-appropriate assessments aligned to the newly developed Department of Basic Education reading benchmarks. Closing date extended to Friday, 24 May 2024. Spread the word and share with your networks. See more details on this link: https://lnkd.in/dyTWYS8Y

OPPORTUNITY ALERT: Terms of Reference for Qualitative Research - A decade of early grade literacy research in South Africa: Lessons and data. Closing date: 14 May 2024 The Department of Basic Education’s Early Grade Reading Studies are steadily building a body of evidence on what works in improving #Reading outcomes. Insights gleaned from this, and other studies will help bolster literacy development in the early grades. See Terms of Reference here: https://lnkd.in/dv_BrfDG

The Zenex Foundation team is growing! As our organisation grows and evolves, we are thrilled to welcome three new team members to Zenex Foundation. Thami Kubheka has joined us as Manager of Corporate Services and Finance, Emisang Machedi as Programme Manager, and Catherine Langsford as Research Specialist. Each of them brings a distinct set of skills, perspective and passion to our team. Here's to new beginnings, fostering collaboration, and achieving success together! More about Thami, Emisang and Catherine on this link:  https://lnkd.in/dTxBgZ3p