Prof M Mosimege, the University Registrar of Unisa spoke to the project team members and is shown here with Prof L Kaino standing in the background
Unisa’s Department of Mathematics Education (DME) has partnered with leading global specialists in this field to improve mathematics teacher professional development programmes. The Project is titled: Analyses of Mathematics Teacher Professional Development Programmes in Selected Developed and Developing Countries: Insights for quality Mathematics instruction in Sub-Saharan African countries. (Math-TPDP)
The international research team tasked to do a collaborative study is made up of: Prof. Nouzha El Yacoubi (Morocco), Prof. Yeap Ban Har (Singapore), Dr. Alan Rogerson (Poland), Prof. Hee-chan Lew (South Korea), Prof. T. Tattoo (USA), Prof. C.D. Kasanda (Namibia), Prof. D. Mtetwa (Zimbabwe), Dr. S.Kitta (Tanzania), Mrs. Kim Ramatlapana (Botswana), Ms. R. Paulsen (DME), Dr. Z.M.M. Jojo (DME), Dr. J.P. Sepeng (DME), Mr. M. Poshoko (DME), Mr. S. Ijeh(DME), Mr. J.J. Dhlamini (DME), Dr. M.G. Ngoepe (DME-CoD) and Prof. L.M. Kaino (DME & Project leader). The team met in March 2013 in South Africa to develop their research materials. Unisa’s Registrar Prof M Mosimege, himself a mathematician, addressed the team and urged them to use their expertise to ensure that this project is a success.
The project team members who come from all corners of the African continent as well as the USA, Poland, Singapore and South Korea
The objectives of the collaborative study are to:
• Examine mathematics teacher professional development programmes of countries in international systemic assessments and professional development programmes
• Learn from exemplary practices of mathematics teacher development programmes in use (from countries in the sample) in efforts to improve mathematics teacher development programmes in these countries
• Propose a systemic and nationwide improvement of mathematics teacher professional development programmes for South Africa and other participating countries
• Facilitate sharing of research skills and output, networking and forming of partnerships
• Publish articles dedicated to this study in a special issue.
Alan Rogerson from Poland shared that he is very happy and lucky to be part of DME’s project which is lead by Prof L. Kaino and to work with this team. He hopes it will have the success it deserves and will make a mark on future Teacher Education in South Africa. He was so impressed with he project that he is looking for EU funding to support it. Dr Rogerson says he will move ahead with a parallel project in the EU similar to Prof Kaino’s one as a sort of brother-sister collaboration and wrote “the sincerest form of flattery is imitation!”
