UCT Sustainability and the SDGs 2022 - Magazine - Page 15
Well-educated
citizens & skills
revolution
under pinned by
science, technology &
innovation
2
3
100UP Project objective
Medicine (IDM) established a Youth Research Advisory
Broadening access to Higher Education for
learners from underserved communities in
the Western
Cape
昀椀nancial &
Group in Worcester. This aims to introduce young people to
science, consult with them on adolescent-focused research,
and support them to identify, develop and conduct research
African-language speakers. Both projects are innovative,
involve teaching and learning in English and isiXhosa, and
demonstrate the power of bilingual learning and the bene昀椀ts
for the learner.
to participate in the ESCOM Expo for Young Scientists and
PROJECT IMPACT
Total learners reached:
other youth research initiatives.
Projects included experiments to test various homemade
4 125
The iSayensi Yethu project, a multidisciplinary project
mask 昀椀ltration systems and mentoring a student on AI-based
in which UCT is a partner, aims to make natural science
TB diagnosis from X-rays. Primary school learners conducted
content accessible to learners, especially African-language
research comparing water quality across three schools and
speakers. Through this project, teachers conducted lessons
tested drying rates of different T-shirt colours.
in both English and isiXhosa, using bilingual learning
MATRIC COMPLETION
Total Matriculants:
In July 2024, two youth delegates presented at the
2 137
International Children’s Advisory Network’s Advocacy and
昀椀nancing her
UNIVERSITY PLACEMENT
UCT (46%)
OTHER HEIs (54%)
839
995
GENDER BREAKDOWN
Males:
Females:
1 718
2 407
material. They also encouraged learners to respond in the
language they felt most comfortable using.
Research Summit, held in Bari, Italy.
Research and Innovation
The Language for Learning project, also carried out
Tackling the education challenges of a
multilingual society
in partnership with several South African universities,
is aimed at high school teachers and learners. The
matching printed symbols to read, spell and experiment
As a country with 12 of昀椀cial languages, South Africa’s
main goal of the project is to equip teachers with the
through play. Through this approach, literacy lessons are
multilingualism is at the core of the multiculturalism the nation
necessary literacy skills, in both isiXhosa and English,
transformed into interactive, multisensory experiences, while
prides itself on. But multilingualism is a signi昀椀cant challenge
to help them engage with the curriculum and teach and
simultaneously developing 昀椀ne motor and spatial skills.
for the many children who cannot complete their schooling in
assess learners bilingually.
The project is now in its second phase and is being put
to the test among teachers and learners at special-needs
BACHELOR PASSES
Total:
Success rate:
their mother tongue.
1 939
learners are forced to switch from learning in their mother tongue
Enabling inclusive learning for visually impaired students
to train teachers to use the bricks effectively and to monitor
to learning in English – an abrupt and traumatic shift that often
The LEGO Braille Bricks project, in partnership with UCT’s
and evaluate the rollout, as well as the pros and cons
results in learning dif昀椀culties and poor in-school performance.
Including Disability Education in Africa (IDEA), BlindSA and
through ongoing research such as observations, focus group
Two groundbreaking, collaborative projects – bringing
four special schools, introduces a playful, tactile learning tool
discussions and surveys. The primary goal is to understand
for learners who are blind or visually impaired.
whether the project is contextually relevant in South Africa
91%
HIGHER EDUCATION ACCESS
Entered HEIs:
Access rate:
1 834
86%
30 - Sustainability and the SDGs 2024
schools across the country. The priority for IDEA has been
When they reach Grade 4, African language-speaking
together academia, primary and high schools and non-pro昀椀t
organisations to advocate for bilingual in-class learning
At Athlone School for the Blind, Grades 3 and higher use
– are on a mission to change the learning experience for
colourful LEGO bricks moulded with braille characters and
and how it can support the development of an inclusive
education system in the country.
Sustainability and the SDGs 2024 – 31
