WeeklySA_AdminCATCH THEM YOUNG: The challenge that South African learners face at high school from these two subjects ‘starts at primary level’…
By Ali Mphaki
A seed likely to germinate with blooming flowers was planted at Palesa Primary School in Meadowlands, Soweto, laying the foundation for close to a hundred learners to benefit from a tutoring institution focused in English and Math.
Moving from the premise that the challenge that South African learners face in high school in these two subjects can be traced at the lower echelons of the school system, joy was when Ketlhabile Mentorship Academy celebrated its partnership with the Zone 9-based public school at an event which attracted scores of excited parents and dozens of hopeful learners from Grade R to Grade 7 last weekend.
The Ketlhabile Mentorship Academy, KMA, imagines itself not only as a tutoring institution but a mentorship program which also offer behavioral monitoring mechanisms for learners to assist both parents and mentors to remedy challenges as they arise.
KMA founder Sam Klou explains that with their teaching methods and specialist tutors they aim to demystify Math and at the same time develop learners who can not only read in English but do so with understanding.
“There is a lot of myth surrounding the subject of Math and ours is to demystify it. Our aim is to make young ones fall in love with the subject of Math and excel in it. There is an advantage in catching them young, and by the time they reach high school, Math and English will not be Greek for them,” he says.
Klou further emphasizes that the focus on English is not to disadvantage especially indigenous languages but was borne out of the realization that most learners face the challenge of reading with understanding and with their KMA learning and teaching methods hope to make a dent in this regard.
He added that rather that interfering with the school subject programming schedule, theirs would be an add-on type of intervention using extra classes after normal hours and on weekends.
Adding his voice of congratulations Ntate Matakanye Matakanye, Gauteng head of SGBs was highly complimentary about the KMA’s initiative reminding the learners that with Math they will be empowered not only to be job seekers but job creators.
A loud cheer broke out when TV star Elizabeth Sennye of Moferefere Lenyalong and Rhythm City fame took the podium extolling the young learners never to give up on their dreams
With wide-eyes and gaping mouths the learners heard how Sennye overcame overwhelming challenges in her own life to be the goggle box icon she is today.
“Winners don’t quit. Quitting is never an option,” she said.
School principal Mokgadi Veronica Sepuru was beaming with smiles and added that nothing beats collaboration
Teaming up with KMA is Old Clay Foundation under the chairmanship of businessman Keith Nkuna, who committed his outfit to providing all learners with stationary for their Math and English lessons.
Nkuna was all praise for Klou’s groundbreaking initiative especially since it aimed at making the black child to succeed and be proud citizens of their communities.
“We were mostly impressed by the fact that Klou’s KMA chose to start at primary level which aligns with Old Clay’s mission and values. Together we are on a mission to mold a new generation of upright youth to lead South Africa forward,” he said.
