Digging deep to boost education in rural mining communities

16 May 2018 - 07:00 By GCIS Vuk'uzenzele
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An Anglo American Platinum Turffontein shaft at Thekwana village.
An Anglo American Platinum Turffontein shaft at Thekwana village.
Image: SIMON MATHEBULA

A partnership between the Department of Basic Education and Anglo American South Africa will focus on improving educational outcomes in reading, writing and numeracy in rural mining com-munities.

Anglo American has committed to improving 100 learners’ pass marks at early childhood dev-elopment (ECD) sites, and another 100 at primary and secondary schools.

The partnership will be implemented over five years in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and the Northern Cape.

The Minister of Basic Education,Angie Motshekga, said the programme complements the department’s Action Plan 2019: Towards the Realisation of Schooling 2030. 

“Any investment in the public schooling system is a wise move as it has a direct impact on on the majority of our school-going children. We are very happy that this wonderful partnership will invest in ECD, which provides a solid foundation for schooling,”said Minister Motshekga.

Anglo American South Africa’s Deputy Chairman Norman Mbazima said poor learner performance is particularly prevalent in learners from poor households and those attending rural schools.

“Learners in communities where we operate need to have the best possible chance of accessing quality education and achieving excellent results,” he said.

Teachers and management at the selected schools will receive support from the mining company, according to their needs and subjects.

• This article was originally published in the GCIS Vuk'uzenzele.


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