The Mr Price RedCap Foundation this week launched the innovative RedCap Schools Project, transforming five KwaDukuza schools – Aldinvile Primary, Zilungisele Primary, St Christopher Primary, Kearsney Primary and Nyakana Combined Primary school – into “Centres of Excellence” that stand to benefit from an innovative improvement programme.
Natasja Ambrosio, Manager of the RedCap Foundation, said that increasing problems faced by schools had been reflected in alarmingly poor academic results. Currently, according to government, less that 80% of South African schools are meeting minimum educational performance standards. (Source: www.jet.org.za)
In the picture: Nomathembi Mbonambi, Sikhumbuzo Khumalo and Simon Dlamini. Picture by S&A Marketing
Challenges faced by schools include a lack of resources, a shortage of competent teachers, school principals without good leadership or management skills and very little parental involvement. Ambrosio said that the foundation stepped in with its RedCap Schools project in order to help schools to overcome these.
“The ultimate aim is to create schools that are actually ‘Communities of Excellence’ where both pupils and teachers achieve exceptional results. Studies have shown that meaningful and sustainable change in education requires holistic interventions that address needs at different levels. The RedCap Schools Project is a holistic, systemic school improvement intervention aimed at improving both levels of functionality and effectiveness at public schools,” she explained.
The RedCap Schools Project is funded by the RedCap Foundation and implemented in partnership with KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education (KwaDukuza District) and Joint Education Trust (JET) Education Services. The RedCap Schools Project incorporates the JET whole school improvement model and encourages participation in school sport, environmental initiatives and leadership capacity building programmes.
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