Rhodes University Mathematics Education Project

About RUMEP

Established in 1993, the Rhodes University Mathematics Education Project (RUMEP) grew out of a series of outreach workshops for primary mathematics teachers. These workshops were led by John Stoker and Rose Spanneberg from the Rhodes University Education Department, with support from the British Council.

In 1994, the programme was refined in alignment with the vision and mission of a Cambridge University project in South Africa, also sponsored by the British Council. During 1994 and 1995, RUMEP offered a Certificate in Mathematics Education, followed by a Diploma, with accreditation from the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES).

A significant milestone was reached in 1996, when RUMEP became a unit within the Rhodes University Faculty of Education. The project was entrusted with delivering the Rhodes University–accredited Further Diploma in Education (FDE) for primary teachers. This qualification later evolved into the Advanced Certificate in Education (ACE), and today forms part of the BEd (In-service) degree in Mathematics Education.

The transition from FDE to ACE and now to the BEd created valuable opportunities for collaboration with funders, regional education offices, the Provincial Department of Education, and schools across the province.

While the BEd programme remains the cornerstone of RUMEP’s work, the project has expanded over the years to include several complementary initiatives. Notably, the Farm School Programme led to the development of the Collegial Cluster Project and later the MathsNet Project. These initiatives work collaboratively to strengthen teacher networks and support ongoing professional growth.

RUMEP also implements funder-initiated programmes and develops classroom-based teaching materials that are carefully trialled and tested in schools to ensure relevance and effectiveness.

Leadership

RUMEP’s first Director, Professor John Stoker, served for nine years. He was succeeded by Dr Rose Spanneberg, who led the project from 2002 to June 2012. Mr Tom Penlington then served as Director from July 2012 to 20 July 2021. The project is currently led by Mrs Fezeka Mkhwane, who has been at the helm since 2021.

Mission

Our mission is to: 

• Promote in-service teachers’ content knowledge, teaching and reasoning skills in mathematics that will enable them to be confident and competent in teaching the subject.  

• Support the continuous professional development of mathematics teachers through a variety of programmes in order to address the crises in mathematics teaching and learning.

• Produce graduates from rural and semi-rural backgrounds who are confident, resourceful and sufficiently skilled to guide and support other teachers of mathematics in a cluster of neighbouring schools. 

• Network with all government and non-governmental organisations to assist and participate in the development of mathematics teaching and learning in the Eastern Cape.

• Create a challenging and supportive learning environment through hands-on collaborative experiences that ensure professional growth of each individual. 

• Continually raise funds to support and empower teachers of previously disadvantaged communities to attend and participate in a university-based specialised course to address the crisis in under-qualified mathematics teachers in rural schools in the Eastern Cape Province. 

Vision

The vision of RUMEP is to support, facilitate, motivate and empower teachers of mathematics through professional development programmes within the project.  The ultimate goal is to assist teachers and learners to improve their mathematics knowledge, thinking and understanding. 

Last Modified: Thu, 12 Mar 2026 12:26:08 SAST