Helping to keep kids in school

“We're not only helping to keep kids at school. We're also keeping them off the streets, and providing a safe and caring environment for free supplementary education and other activities,” says the company's MD, George Steyn.

The company is investing R4.5-million in the first year of the project, which consists of four academies teaching 640 children the necessary building blocks of education in two existing Gauteng schools (Tembisa and Daveyton in Ekurhuleni) and in two Western Cape schools (Walter Teka and Liwa School in Nyanga and the Tygersig Primary school in Tygerberg). Some of these academies also service children from surrounding schools.

The biggest challenge faced by Government and the education sector is to dramatically improve core performance and to increase the average performance in South African schools. The problems are often attributed to poor transition from mother tongue to English at Grade 4 level and this is when many learners, who find it difficult to adapt to the transition, then leave school. For this reason, academy curriculum was designed to support this critical change - to help learners with homework, extra literacy, numeracy tuition and life skills training. It takes place in all four schools from 14h30 until 16h30 on three afternoons a week and all 640 children are given a balanced meal before their lessons begin.

“We believe it is hugely important to help kids continue their schooling in a safe environment. Children are an important part of our business and are the future of this country. We want to make a contribution to the country by improving children's education, particularly because drop out rates are now such a growing concern,” says Steyn.

Advisor to Minister Naledi Pandor, Martin Mulcahy adds, “Too many companies just throw money at CSI projects. However, this company has identified a need and is piloting this properly to make sure the academy works. This is an example of how Private Public Partnerships should work.”