Over 80 percent of the 82 Grade 12 learners who participated in the ABSA Achievers Programme based at the Joza Youth Hub in 2013, passed their matric exams – and 32 got Bachelor passes.
Over 80 percent of the 82 Grade 12 learners who participated in the ABSA Achievers Programme based at the Joza Youth Hub in 2013, passed their matric exams – and 32 got Bachelor passes.
Rhodes University’s Community Engagement office, working closely with local education experts and principals, ran the programme to provide academic support and life skills training to pupils from various Grahamstown East schools.
Rhodes staff and student volunteers ran after-school classes at the Joza Youth Hub, a central educational facility aimed at facilitating the holistic development of local youth.
Diana Hornby, director of Community Engagement at Rhodes University, said at least 13 students from this group have been accepted to study at Rhodes and there are more that have been accepted at NNMU and Fort Hare University.
According to Hornby, pupils from Mary Waters and Nombulelo were particularly committed and enjoyed good results for their efforts. Bachelor passes were secured by 12 of the 19 pupils from Mary Waters and 10 of the 23 pupils from Nombulelo.
Transport was provided for those pupils who had a long way to walk, and snacks were also provided to help with concentration.
According to Hornby, the dedication shown by Rhodes staff and students formed a critical part of the success of the programme.
Joyce Sewry of Rhodes’ Chemistry department taught Maths every Saturday, while Bennie Isaacs from Human Resources also became very involved.
According to Hornby, many individuals from the student volunteer programme made invaluable efforts to reach as many pupils as possible ahead of the end of year exams.
“These young people really were extraordinary committed and formed the basis of our teaching team. Many gave up every Saturday to teach, while others gave up two hours a week,” Hornby said.
Students Luvuyo Kiti and Ross Adam gave up additional time to teach Science and Maths respectively and have been credited with playing a pivotal role in the success of some of their students. For Sibusiso Dwane who matriculated from Mary Waters and received 76 percent for Maths and 78 percent for Science the mentorship he received from these volunteers was invaluable.
“The tutorship I received for Maths was really helpful and the winter school I attended taught me a lot. I was hoping to get a distinction for Science but I am happy with the final result,” said Dwane, who is hoping to study towards a degree in Pharmacy at Rhodes University this year.
For Sibusiso Matiwana, also of Mary Waters, the extra Maths classes helped him understand core concepts which he lacked a thorough understanding of. “Before I attended the classes I could understand but I really learnt a lot about problem solving,” he said.
All pupils were exposed to life skills workshops run by various departments, which included Study Skills, CV writing, Interview and Computer skills.
