The Leadership College (TLC) has made waves in the Mitchells Plain and Manenberg communities by achieving the highest distinction pass rate for the 2014 Matric class, across the Cape Flats. The Independent School has remained true to its long-standing reputation of good quality teaching and an overall high standard of education.

Founder Ashra Norton says since the institution’s inception in 2010, the Matric class of 2014 managed to achieve great results even without access to expensive text books.

“This class never had text books, We only worked off copy sheets. they didn’t even go for tutoring during exam time. Our teachers at the institution pride themselves on their quality of teaching and often worked until 11pm at night,” Norton explained.

The private institution opened its doors with only 47 young hopefuls, with the school directing the entirely of its efforts towards moulding them into the prospective leaders of tomorrow. Now, a whopping 500 students receive daily classes at the school.

A number of students have already achieved successful heights in their respective areas of interest. One such student, Qaa’id Davids received seventh position out of 90 competitors in an International Qiraah Competition in Iran. While the school operates under an Islamic ethos, about 40% of the pupils are non-Muslim. According to Norton, the school is registered with the Western Cape Education Department and offers the regular subjects as per public institution but in addition to this, it also offers a program where the young students are taught character building and moral studies.

“While our Muslim students break away for Islamic Studies, the other students attend the character building classes. One of our objectives at this school is to restore moral fibre into the youth,” Norton explained.

Amongst the first group of matriculants is orphaned girl, Aneesa Barends, who managed to achieve seven distinctions and has now been accepted for further education in Medicine at both the University of Cape Town and Stellenbosch.

Norton says the entire school, from grade eight to Matric managed to complete the schooling year with only one fail. Norton attributes this success to the dream that laid the building blocks for this kind of education.

“We had a vision of offering a high standard of education in an impoverished area, where students cannot afford to attend schools in affluent suburbs. Bringing quality education to the townships” Norton further said.

In addition to these already astounding achievements, the school manages to do all this without charging its students any fee. Attendance at the school it entirely free.

Norton explained that the government provides a 50% subsidy and the rest is sponsored from local corporate businesses along with individual donors. The school provides all its pupils with their uniform, stationery, excursions and camps fees.

“We are so thankful to the Cape Town community. They have never turned us down. We do still however have many needs to meet and appeal to the broader community for any assistance,” Norton added. For more information contact Norton on 0827865560. VOC (Ra’eesah Isaacs)