Executive Summary
The Ukuqonda Institute was founded in August 2006 as a regrouping and consolidation of ongoing work within the Centre for Productive Education (a Section 21 company), the Ukuqonda Initiative (UMAT) of the GM South Africa Foundation, and Mathematical Development (Pty) Ltd (a private commercial company). We are a not for profit company (Section 21) and further registered as a Public Benefit Organisation.
The vision of the Ukuqonda Institute is to promote excellence in the fields of Mathematics, Physical Science, Technology and Literacy education at all education levels in Southern Africa. Read More
Ukuqonda, as its name implies (which means “to understand”), focuses strongly on learning with conceptual understanding and the development of key concepts, rather than (only) preparing learners for tests and examinations. In practical terms this means engagement of learners in meaningful tasks which provide them with opportunities to make sense of subject content and to provide space for own thinking. We actively pursue ways of developing responsibility for own learning, building self-reliance, insisting on and allowing space for learners to take initiative.
The overarching perspective informing the vision of Ukuqonda is that learning should provide for sense making, the promotion of conceptual understanding and development of valuable knowhow and strategic skills.
The Ukuqonda Institute primarily focuses on the following areas in basic and higher education where impact is required:
- the General Education and Training (GET) Phase and Further Education and Training (FET) Phase
- one-year residential post matric (grade 12) bridging programme between FET and Tertiary Education
- national certificates in Engineering taking post matric (grade 12) learners up to N2 level and N5 Mathematics
- academic support to first year university students in the sciences and engineering faculties, with a major focus on developing problem solving skills
Governance
The Ukuqonda Institute is governed by a Board of Trustees, appointed in terms of the relevant legislation pertaining to Section 21 not-for-profit companies, and the Articles of Association by which the Ukuqonda Institute was founded. Current Board of Trustees are:
| Dr Ndumiso Cingo, CSIR
Manare Setati, University of Limpopo
Dr Marietjie Vosloo, DataSense Consulting
Lebogang Masigo, Rand Water (past student 2004) |
Prof Satsope Maoto, University of Limpopo
Prof Piet Human
Dr Erna Lampen, University of Stellenbosch
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