Shining the spotlight on top achieving schools

Through the support of the Department of Basic Education and several committed corporate funders, Adopt-a-School Foundation has assisted numerous high schools in achieving their targeted matric results. Lodirile High School in Gauteng, Ngwathe Secondary School in the Free State, Hlahlindlela Secondary School, Ndukwenhle Secondary School and Welabasha High School in KwaZulu-Natal, Meriti Secondary School in the North West; are amongst the many adopted schools that have scooped numerous accolades at the release of the 2019 matric results. The accolades include above 95% pass rate.

In South Africa, socio-economic factors continue to be a significant source of educational inequality. Learners from rural and disadvantaged communities face many challenges that affect their schooling and academic performance. These challenges often include lack of resources, curriculum knowledge gaps, the lack of mentorship and factors that affect learner wellbeing. These are some of the challenges facing the Department of Basic Education (DBE). Adopt-a-School Foundation, an entity of the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation, supports the DBE in addressing these challenges through its holistic Whole School Development (WSD) model to disadvantaged schools across the country.

“Through the support of public and private partners, the foundation creates an environment conducive to teaching and learning through the implementation of the WSD model. The model focuses on the development of four critical areas within a school environment; leadership, curriculum, infrastructural, social and learner-wellbeing in their adopted schools,” says Banyana Mohajane, Head of Programmes, Adopt-a-School Foundation.

Since its adoption, Lodirile Secondary School continues to be amongst the Foundation’s top-performing schools achieving 90 to 100 % pass rate over three consecutive years and receiving the Most Sustainable School award at the Adopt-a-School Foundation’s School Awards 2019 hosted at the Back to School Party. Meriti Secondary School improved from 91, 2% in 2018 to 99.1% in 2019, while Ngwathe Secondary School enhanced its performance from 90% in 2018 to 98% in 2019. In addition, Welabasha High School improved from 94.7% in 2018 to 97.6% in 2019, Setswakgosing Secondary School 82% in 2018 to 97.6% in 2019; and Ndukwenhle Secondary School improved from 61.3% in 2018 to 96.9% in 2019, while Hlahlindlela Secondary School improved from 88.6% to 95.1%.

With the support of various funders, the WSD programme has been implemented at these schools over the years. These schools received leadership development, infrastructure development and curriculum development which focuses on both learners and educators. Ngwathe Secondary, Setswakgosing and Welabasha High Schools are funded by IDC, Lodirile High School is supported by Adapt IT and Sasria, Meriti Secondary School funded by Merafe Resources, and Hlahlindlela Secondary School and Ndukwenhle Secondary School supported by Grindrod. These partnerships have afforded these schools a schooling environment that is conducive to teaching and learning, tremendously encouraging educators and learners to do well.

Mohajane expressed words of gratitude to all the Foundation’s funders, and delight with all AAS’s schools as they continued to improve year on year. She acknowledged other donors who invest in the adopted schools that have continued to show significant improvements. Donors included Scaw Metals and Barberton Mines to name a few. Emjidini Secondary School, funded by Barberton Mines and Pan African Resources, improved from 48.1% in 2018 to 60% in 2019, which is a remarkable improvement.

“Our Schools developed strategies and worked very hard, increasing the number of extra classes offered in the mornings, evenings and on Saturdays. The release of the National Senior Certificate matric results is always an exciting time for us at Adopt-a-School Foundation. It is the time where we get to see Whole School Development producing excellent results. Throughout January, the Foundation will be analysing the matric results in all the adopted schools to assess the impact and noting areas of improvement”, continued Mohajane.

About Adopt-a-School Foundation

Adopt-a-School Foundation (AAS) is an entity of the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation (CRF) and was officially established in 2002 by a group of concerned individuals, including Cyril Ramaphosa and Dr James Motlatsi. The Foundation is registered as a Section 21 company with PBO status and has an Independent Board of Directors.

The Foundation works with a wide range of stakeholders including; District, Provincial and National Departments of Basic Education, corporate donors, various service providers and best practice NGOs. The Foundation implements Whole School Development – a holistic model aimed at improving the academic, infrastructural, social and security environment in schools.

There are currently 609 schools under the Adopt-a-School Foundation’s adoption programme. The Foundation works in all nine provinces in South Africa, and in Lesotho and Mozambique.
For more information on Adopt-a-School, visit the Foundation’s website at www.adoptaschool.org.za. Email az.oc.loohcsatpoda@sbocajz or call 011 592 6580.