Page 76 - SAPREF 50 year

Wentworth Primary School learners enjoying the “SAPREF-sponsored mobile library.
Every Saturday during the school term, at least a thousand children
receive tuition from qua”
teachers.
lified
Saturday Schools
In 1992 SAPREF opened a Saturday School at its Training Centre, offering employees’ children supplementary lessons in English, maths and science for grade 7, 10 and 12 learners. The primary driver for this project was the less- than-impressive offering in schools attended by the children of African employees. As African children began attending better-resourced schools, the SAPREF Saturday School had space to admit children of non-employees.
Today, the school has grown substantially and operates out of four satellite venues in the neighbouring areas of Isipingo, Lamontville and Umlazi (two venues). The same subjects are offered, but now to learners in grades 10, 11 and 12. Every Saturday during the school term, at least a thousand children receive tuition from qualified teachers.
Said Mr Mbongeni Mtshali, co-ordinator of the Saturday School at Velabahleke High
School, Umlazi: “Since the inception of the SAPREF Saturday School, Velabahleke’s pass rate has risen in physics, mathematics and English, which is testament to the fact that the extra tuition we provide is fulfilling its intended purpose of helping schools to perform better.”
Talent Pipeline
In 2011, SAPREF launched a project
which aimed to introduce grade 10 to 12 learners from South Durban to a career in petrolchemical refining. Called the Talent Pipeline Programme, it provides financial and academic support to selected learners to help improve their school performance. In addition, each learner is allocated a SAPREF mentor to guide them through the programme. In early 2012, 11 high-achieving matriculants from South Durban schools who were part of the Talent Pipeline Programme received bursaries from SAPREF to study chemical or mechanical engineering at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and Pretoria University.
The learners completed grade 12 in 2011
at schools in Amanzimtoti, Isipingo, Umlazi and Wentworth. Between them they attained 48 As in grade 12. The total value of the bursaries
for the four-year courses is over R2 million and includes tuition, examination costs, residence fees, meals and books.
One of those who has come through the system is Christopher Perumal. He joined the Talent Pipeline Programme at the end of his grade 11 year, matriculated from Kingsway High School with 10 distinctions, and is currently doing chemical engineering at the University of KwaZulu-Natal on a SAPREF bursary.
Says Christopher: “During my first year
at university, SAPREF offered a wellness programme which offered study and health guidance tips which was very helpful, and also the facility to call a psychologist for counselling and support. The support from SAPREF both financially and in other aspects of studying
has made studying less stressful, allowing me to perform better. After completing the first year of my degree, I did vacation work at SAPREF. This by far is the best opportunity an engineering student can have. Not only did the technologists and university lecturers supervise and help us greatly, but the first-hand exposure we got in the plant environment, working with the computer systems and engaging with the staff at SAPREF was a fantastic experience.”
SAPREF: FUELLING SA FOR 50 YEARS
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