Efecto de la fase inicial de la perturbación

The stages outlined hereunder will be executed sequentially, in order to allow smooth implementation of the i-STEM programme. Emerging and contextual issues that are related or may inhibit the processes of this programme should be assessed throughout the stages and be addressed or embraced if possible.

6.2.6.1 Phase 1: identification

DBE and DHET will be required to identify the learners who will be mentored from Grades 10 to 12, in preparation for full participation in the i-STEM programme at universities. This will be done in line with the principles as per the mandates of these two departments. On the other hand, the DHET will need to identify and forge relationships with relevant universities, in terms of location with the participating

schools and related matters. The participating universities, as part of the agreement with the DHET, will be expected to identify young women according to the set criteria and those who have shown interest but who also qualify, in their first years at university. Universities will also identify the relevant STEM and prospective mentor lecturers as well as the second and third-year students who will be mentoring the school learners.

Officials who will be assigned to drive the programme within participating government departments and the NYDA (if necessary) will have to be appointed formally, as a sign of commitment, with delivery on the programme reflected in their performance agreements for the sake of accountability. Government and university partners will also be required to identify private sector companies that will participate in the programme. All appointees will be expected to sign binding contracts and commit for at least one full circle, i.e. three consecutive years. After a full circle, the partners as mentioned above will be required to identify new candidates for the next cycle.

The i-STEM aspires to accommodate as many young female students as possible and be robust in that regard. However, the availability or lack of funding will determine the numbers of young women to be taken into the programme per cycle. The aim is to have 60% of young women registered as STEM students in each university every year, for at least six consecutive years. This would balance the numbers of young women and young men in these fields, since the number of young men is currently high, as outlined in the second chapter of this study.

6.2.6.2 Phase 2: induction

During the first and the third Saturdays of March, the i-STEM programme will be dedicated to the induction of government officials, participating lecturers and students, as well as identified learners. Sessions will be held for six hours of contact time. Pockets of induction will be structured according to the roles of the participating partners although certain parts of this programme will be generic. The first session will outline the purpose, objectives, background and activities of the programme, all in theory. During the second and last session of the induction, what was discussed in the first session will be role-played practically by examples, in order to simplify it for all

participants. The last session will also be used to debrief, consolidate and summarise activities and information shared during the first session.

The induction programme will be conducted in every year of a cycle. During the induction period the programme will be structured in such a way that it allows for the integration of emerging issues and identifies, as well as embracing the needs of individuals. The induction programme of every year will discuss the challenges of previous years, with the intention of correcting mistakes and proposing solutions with a view to future progress.

6.2.6.3 Phase 3: implementation

(i) Planning

It is anticipated that the first planning session for the implementation of the i-STEM will be done from July to September of 2019, in anticipation and preparation for the intake of the first group of young women students at the beginning of January 2020, after the release of the Grade 12 results. The intake will, however, be finalised after the orientation programme, where students, in particular young women, will be introduced to the i-STEM programme, the opportunities it brings as well as the benefits of the STEM fields for them. At first, each university will be expected to register 10%, in addition to their normal percentage of young women in the STEM fields. Young women will be assisted to apply and register for the i-STEM programme.

Subsequently, planning would take place earlier, from July for the following academic year, in order to allow for the smooth implementation of the programme and its future progress. This would ensure that challenges of the previous year are addressed as well as embracing emerging issues. Planning will be done by all stakeholders represented, to ensure that all aspects of the programme, including the roles of partners, are integrated. Planning will cover projections of the next two years, to complete the first cycle, followed by a three-year planning session for subsequent years. In the beginning, the mentor: mentee ratio would be 1: 5, including the teachers of participating schools and the lecturers. The ratio for students will be 1:2, as a maximum, to allow them enough time to focus on their own studies.