South African pupils seek to improve maths results using mobile phone

Nokia, the South African Government's Department of Education and not for profit organization Mindset Network have launched this innovative application to help girl students learn Maths.

2 Apr 2008 , Johannesburg, South Africa, Espoo, Finland : Nokia, the South African Government's Department of Education and not for profit organization Mindset Network today announced the launch of "M4Girls", an innovative pilot project using Nokia 6300 mobile phones loaded with educational material to help improve mathematics performance of Grade 10 girl learners.

"This project demonstrates the potential of mobile phones to enable social development and improve education especially in underprivileged areas, " says Micheline Ntiru, Head of Nokia's Community Involvement Programs in the Middle East and Africa. "Young people are increasingly using their phones to gain knowledge via the internet, social networking and interaction with their peers, so it makes sense to introduce learning through these devices. By combining Nokia handsets with innovative content, and the enthusiasm of the teachers and pupils this scheme creates an opportunity to really help create new skills and opportunities."

The scheme will be piloted in two schools - President Mangope Technical High School and Thlabane Technical College - in the North West Province of South Africa. Pupils using it will be able to access educational games and other content that have been specifically created to meet the needs of the national curriculum.

The pilot supports the South African Department of Education's drive to improve proficiency in key subjects like maths amongst students from historically disadvantaged backgrounds, and in particular girls who tend to be the worst performers in this subject. In addition to the initial pilot using mathematics, Nokia and Mindset are developing digital content in other key subjects such as English and information technology.

Nokia is also providing additional funding for the two pilot schools to help train teachers and school managers in the use of ICT resources, repair classrooms and provide books for their libraries. Nokia staff are also volunteering to act as part-time helpers at the schools.

Vis Naidoo, CEO of Mindset Network said, "One of South Africa's most pressing challenges is the need for an improvement in maths proficiency. This pilot will help students develop in this area, which is so important for our youth if they are to integrate into the fast paced global economy."

Mr. Freddie Mahape, Principal at Tlhabane Technical and Commercial High School, said "We need to win the battle of ensuring that more and more girl learners take interest in maths and subsequently obtain good results. As such we welcome this project, as it gives us hope for a better future by improving results for our learners. We hope that in the future it will be possible to extend this program so that many more schools and learners can benefit from it."