Tycoon Vivian Reddy pledges R10 million to poor performing schools

Durban businessperson Vivian Reddy is planning to rescue KwaZulu-Natal’s besieged education system by adopting a "business style" approach.

Reddy told News24 on Monday he has pledged R10 million to 10 poor performing schools in the Ilembe District.

KwaZulu-Natal recorded a 60.7% pass rate in 2015.

Reddy said when he heard that 12 schools received a 0% pass rate for 2015, he went cold.

“This is what made me decide to adopt several poor performing schools so that we can turn around the standard of education in the province.”

Reddy said he had a meeting with Education MEC Peggy Nkonyeni on Monday where he committed to upgrading facilities, providing teacher aid, paying teachers to teach pupils on Saturdays, re-equip science labs and purchase computers for IT lessons.

He said parents should get involved in their children’s education and more meetings should be held with parents.

“We believe that education begins at home and that education is the inoculation against poverty.”

Business style approach

Reddy said he wanted to raise the pass rate to at least 70% by the end of the year.

“I am going to adopt a business style towards education and pupils who do well will receive bursaries in their matric year.”

Reddy said most of the schools he has identified are in lower quintiles.

“We are going to employ retired teachers to assist us.”

He said he was hoping that other business people would join him and adopt more poor performing schools.

“Business cannot prosper surrounded by poverty. I am personally going to visit all the schools to see what they need.”

Reddy said the initiative will be administered through the Sibaya Trust.

“Government is struggling and it needs business to get involved.

“Business must put its money where its mouth is and stop paying lip service. It is our duty to uplift our communities and if business can get involved, we can make a difference,” said Reddy.

Source: News24