Aimssec Sa

The African Institute for Mathematical Sciences Schools Enrichment Centre (AIMSSEC) is a not-for-profit organisation providing professional development courses for mathematics teachers, subject advisers and field trainers in South Africa, introducing new mathematics teaching skills, improving subject knowledge and empowering teachers from disadvantaged rural and township communities. AIMSSEC runs courses for primary and secondary teachers, subject advisers and field trainers from all over South Africa. These blended learning courses combine residential units, home-study, regularly marked assignments, online learning and TV broadcasts and examinations for qualifications awarded by AIMS in partnership with North West University. Learning is through guided discovery, with an emphasis on understanding, mathematical thinking, discussion, collaborative learning and challenges rather than just mechanical practice. Learning how to learn and to take responsibility for one’s own learning is of paramount importance. A distinguished team of more than 55 international mathematics education experts volunteer on the residential courses and support local staff and students after the courses. Graduates also contribute to the courses by becoming teaching assistants on the new courses. For their part, the teachers who attend our courses must train other teachers, creating a cascade model which ensures our work is far reaching. Since 2004, 1774 teachers have completed the three month Mathematical Thinking course. The two year ACE course (which has now been succeeded by the ACT course) boasts of over 200 graduates.