SW-based maths firm celebrates 30 years and its spread across SA - District Mail, 6 September 2007

Somerset West-based mathematics tutoring company, Master Maths, invested R800 000 in a national competition that was run through its franchises and concluded at the end of last month. The competition was run as part of the company's 30th anniversary celebrations.

Some 26 000 entries from more than 500 schools were received.

The first prize of R200 000 was awarded to Durban Girls High in recognition of their high response rate. Thirty scholars nationwide won laptops and a further 200 received Master Maths bursaries worth R2 400 each; the equivalent of six months of individual tuition.

In a press release following the competition, Master Maths MD Johan Welgens said: "The challenges facing our schools are many; not least of which is the shortage of qualified mathematics teachers. The private sector has a responsibility to assist wherever possible. The Master Maths competition has extended our program to additional learners nationwide."

The Master Maths program uses the familiar Windows(r) interface and dynamic multimedia to hold the attention of learners. A new world of understanding has been opened to learners who have previously struggled with maths, and has helped steady learners to excel in the subject at school.

"As of 2006, mathematics and mathematics literacy have become compulsory subjects," Johan said. "By presenting these subjects in a lively, relevant, interactive way we help learners perform at their best."

Master Maths has more than 130 centres providing individual maths tuition to some 10 000 students in grades 3 to 12. Its tailor made software package, the first of its kind in the world, is used in more than 260 schools through the Western Cape Education Department's Khanya Project.

Master Maths was founded in 1976. The first to use audio-visual teaching aids, the program was developed in South Africa for South Africans in accordance with school curriculum.

The system uses voice, animated images, qualified instructors and learner interaction to deliver teaching content. The content was authored by qualified mathematics teachers who used their training, experience and know-how to convert the syllabus into a user-friendly and easy to understand format. Learners work through modules at their own pace in line with their level and ability.