South Africa: Education secures the future
In South Africa, the math clubs of the organization "OLICO" playfully awaken interest in arithmetic – and open up new perspectives for children.
Diepsloot is one of Johannesburg's poorest municipalities. More than half of the working-age population is unemployed. It's a self-reinforcing cycle: poverty leads to poor education, and poor education perpetuates poverty. Parents who can't afford private schools have to send their children to state schools – but the quality of teaching there is inadequate. This is particularly evident in mathematics: out of 1,000 schoolchildren in Diepsloot, only about 70 achieve a grade that qualifies them for a degree in science or economics, or for vocational training. For these children, many doors to the job market remain closed from the outset.
The organization OLICO is taking a different approach: Math clubs have been established in seven primary schools to close knowledge gaps, awaken a joy of learning, and foster talent. And the results speak for themselves.
Vutivi is eleven years old and in fifth grade. Math is her favorite subject now – but that wasn't always the case. Since joining her school's math club, she loves juggling numbers and solving tricky puzzles. There are always new, fun games and activities that keep Vutivi engaged. Twice a week, she comes here right after school to learn with the other children. She can continue practicing at home: OLICO has developed a math app that allows basic arithmetic to be practiced playfully anytime, even offline.
Teachers and parents learn together
Currently, 1,800 children up to the age of 12 benefit from the math clubs, which take place in the school or at the OLICO community center. The children are highly motivated throughout the year, with regular attendance exceeding 80 percent. But it's not just the children who benefit from the program: young people are trained and hired as math club leaders. The majority of these young adults are also studying, with some pursuing teacher training. Their work in the clubs provides them with valuable pedagogical skills.
"I enjoy learning math and the competitions we have. They're fun and make learning much easier."
In addition, family days focused on mathematics are organized: More than 1,000 participants discover through interactive games and experiments how exciting numbers and formulas can be. Parents also learn how to continue this playful learning in everyday life. This ensures the best possible support for children.
OLICO's "Learning through Play" program earned it an award at the National Science and Technology Forum in 2024. These awards are considered South Africa's equivalent of the Oscars in science.
