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Media Release

16 July, 2004


MEC honours maths achievers

Statement by Cameron Dugmore, the MEC for Education

WESTERN CAPE EDUCATION MEC Cameron Dugmore will tonight (16 July 2004) address about 200 exceptional grade 12 mathematics learners who have for the past week been exposed to an intense week of learning and fun, to develop a well-rounded understanding of mathematics, accounting, business, economic and management sciences.

For the past week the learners have been exposed to experienced facilitators, motivating participants across the racial spectrum throughout the whole province.

Tonight is the highlight of the camp, which will include an address by Minister Dugmore, from 19h00 at the Saldanha Military Academy.

Tomorrow morning the learners will join hands with the community of Saldanha Bay to clean up their community, to impress upon the learners and the community the importance of the environment and how best to care for it.

The business camp, sponsored by the SA Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA), was aimed at equipping the grade 12 learners with key skills required to succeed in the fields of accounting and business sciences. It has the full and active support of the Department of Education.

The main objectives of the camp were to enhance the skills of learners to successfully face post-matric career opportunities; to expose learners to the world of business; and to afford them an opportunity to interact with their peers as well as members of universities.

Maths remains one of the subjects that learners find extremely difficult. SAICA has engaged the services of the University of Stellenbosch to help demystify maths and assist learners to prepare for their final exam.

Life skills is one key area that has been identified by both the department of education and tertiary institutions as being extremely critical if our learners are to make a success of their lives.

HIV/Aids awareness has also been a prominent part of the programme.

The learners, of which the majority are from disadvantaged communities, come from as far as the Southern Cape and Central Karoo. Organisers hope the camp will have inspired them to succeed beyond imaginable levels.

Following a successful similar camp last year in George, the SAICA has decided to take the camp to the Saldanha Miltary Academy.



Issued by:
Gert Witbooi
Media Liaison Secretary
Office of the MEC for Education
Western Cape
Tel: 021 467 2524
Fax: 021 425 5689

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