Free maths tutoring for SA students in Learning+ pilot program
Calling maths students - whether you’re a whiz or struggle to make it all add up, a tutor can make a difference. To help lift results a pilot program will give 2000 students free sessions.
Education
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Free personal tutor sessions in maths for 2000 South Australians will be made available through a $3.6m State Government program.
The one-to-one sessions will be offered to 1000 year 6 students in term 1 next year and 1000 year 8s in term 2.
Students will receive two half-hour online sessions a week over 10 weeks.
“Every learner is different, and we want to make sure our students have every opportunity to excel in their education and are set up for success,” Education Minister John Gardner said.
“Having confidence with maths is crucial for students and we know that many jobs of the future require a science, technology engineering and maths focus.
“This program aims to help students build important learning skills, understand the curriculum more deeply, accelerate learning, foster a positive attitude towards learning and develop greater self-confidence.”
The Education Department will recruit 250 teachers to run the sessions which will take place after school hours.
The teachers, who must be registered and working in the public education system in SA, will earn nearly $90 an hour, paid in addition to their usual salary.
Schools will nominate students with the department then applying various criteria to select a cross-section to get a representative sample of the school population.
Students from all ranges of availability will be eligible to apply.
Called “Learning+”, the program will run as a pilot with student progress assessed to determine whether it should be expanded to other year levels and subject areas.
“I am sure that many teachers will see this pilot as a great opportunity to earn more income while supporting students who need it the most, and I encourage members of our workforce to apply,” Mr Gardner said.
Parkside Primary School teacher Simon Segat said the program sounded like a great idea.
“Students will have the opportunity to learn according to their unique needs to better develop their mathematical skills,” she said.
“Teachers will have the opportunity to earn some extra money, and parents will have confidence their child is working with a registered teacher to improve their learning.
“So many positives, it is a great initiative.”