Children of Volkswagen employees apply in their Grade 9 year and after an application process and testing, the successful learners are placed in schools such as Woodridge, St Georges and Brylin, as well as schools further afield such as St Patricks in Kokstad and St Joseph's in Cape Town.
Eight learners matriculated in 2015 with seven learners meeting the minimum requirements to study for a bachelor's degree and one to study a diploma. So far the bursary scheme has seen 13 learners enter university. Over the last four years VWSA has invested more than R5m in the education of learners across the three grades.
"Education is a key focus at VWSA and we are proud to be able to assist children in our community further their development. Being able to give learners an opportunity to attend schools that would normally not be within their financial ability, is making a difference not only in their lives but also in the lives of their families," said Volkswagen Group South Africa managing director and chairman, Thomas Schaefer.
Six new learners entered the programme in 2016, bringing the total number of recipients for this year to 26.
Since 2012 there have been a total of 34 learners assisted by this bursary. In order to help potential candidates for the bursary, VWSA offers employees' children in Grades 8 and 9 extra Maths and Physical Science lessons, free of charge.
