The Western Cape Education Department has invested time, energy and funding towards the focused use of data-driven environments to better inform its immediate (and future-focused) actions. One such program is the Math Curriculum Online (MCO) programme which is prevalent as a mainstay project across 500 funded/empowered WCED schools (with an additional 170+ schools through other benefactor funding).
There are two key drivers that act as propellants for the MCO initiative:
- #1 EFFICIENCY: Support Teachers to positively change the teaching and learning experience and opportunities, for learners.
- #2 IMPACT: Provide direct access to resources for learners through equality of opportunity.
To embed the data-driven environment as a culture in schools and to extract benefit for the system through a dedicated use of the relevant resources the WCED has consciously embarked upon a re-awakening campaign in support of:
- Increased Math participation
- Heightened awareness of MCO value and ease of use
- Build the Belief in the ability of learners to do Math confidently
It is particularly the Belief that we wish to Build in learners (teachers and parents) that they have all that it takes to master mathematics. The WCED is convinced that when we Build the Belief, coupled with a programmed exercise-regime the greater, sustainable good would be achieved.
Meet the Presenters
DR. ISABEL TARLING Guest Speaker
- PhD in Education Technologies and Teacher Professional Development.
- Director of Limina Education Services.
- At the forefront of educational innovation, she has contributed significantly to local and international projects.
- Leads the research component of the Digital Standards Project, a collaborative effort among diverse stakeholders in education to establish digital standards.
MR. HAROON MAHOMED Deputy Director-General: Curriculum and Assessment Management
- Holds Master of Education degrees from the University of the Witwatersrand and the University of London.
- Published articles on and presented on Education, Curriculum and Teacher Development and Sports, and Development.
- Played and coached professional soccer and is currently involved in soccer coaching education.
- Enjoys Community works, Reading, Writing, Poetry, Music, Hiking and being in nature.
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MR. JUAN BENJAMIN Chief Director Curriculum Management and Teacher Development
- Started teaching career in 1988 at Grassdale SS and then Ocean view SS later in the same year.
- Metro South EDO from 2003 to 2013 as Assistant Director and later Chief Education Specialist (CM).
- District Director at Cape Winelands EDO from 2014 to 2022.
- Holds Master of Education desgree focused in Educational Leadership and e-mentoring.
- Disruptor of the status quo and a people development centred leader.
MINISTER DAVID MAYNIER Western Cape Provincial Minister of Education
- Previously served as the Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities (from 2019 to 2022).
- Served for ten years in the National Assembly as Shadow Minister of Finance and Shadow Minister of Defense and Military Veterans.
- Holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree from the University of Cape Town and a master's degree in Public Administration and Management from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government.
MS. KAREN DUDLEY Director Curriculum GET
- Has servered education within the WCED for a period of 35 years in numerous capacities.
- Holds a Mater's degress in Language across the Curriculum in Content-Based Language, Learning & Teaching from University of Pennsylvania.
- Enjoys the outdoors, sightseeing and sport, in particular volleyball and used to play and coach the South African ladies' team for 18 years.
- In 2020, Ms. Dudley was recognized and recieved the award as one of Mail & Guardian's Powerful Women for 2020.
MR. CLINTON WALKER Director eLearning
- A teacher at heart starting in Grabouw at Groenberg High School in 1990.
- Spent more than a decade with the Technology in Education: Khanya Project.
- Senior Management in private enterprise with an educational technology software development house.
- Returned to WCED to found and head the Directorate eLearning and its expansive strategy.
- Leads with YES and then fills in the blanks to make it so.
