Learners in Manenberg put their time to good use on Thursday as the Step Aboard Programme provided high school pupils with extra classes in Maths and Science. The programme, founded by Pastor Sam Henkerman is focussed on preparing grade 8, 9 and 10 pupils in life skills and academics for matric and future tertiary education. The programme is being conducted at the Leadership College in Manenberg and is open to pupils during the holiday period. The programme aims to encourage leadership development, academic tutoring and alternative dispute resolution.

“We are currently working with grade ten pupils from Manenberg Secondary School, Silverstream High and the Leadership College. Academic mentoring is being done by tutors from the University of Cape Town and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology with the idea of ensuring and assisting those kids in problem areas,” Henkerman said.

The tutors offering their time to pupils are also products of Manenberg and further contribute to the inspiring the next generation from their area. The initiative, funded by the Provincial Department of Social Development is not only focused on academic tutoring but also academic resilience.

“We try to also teach them coping skills as we find ourselves in a socio-economically challenged environment in Manenberg. We plan on taking them through their years of High School even beyond their matric. After school, should they still be a part of this programme, we then try to assist them with furthering their studies in the career of their choice where Mathematics is critical through bridging the gap between them, tertiary institutions, bursary funds and internships,” Henkerman added.

Meanwhile, during quick break from class, students told VOC News that the programme has offered them an opportunity to ask questions on crucial topics. Fifteen year old, Nathanzo Schulz, a grade 10 student at the Leadership College says the programme keeps him away from the drugs and violence e sees around him, especially during the holiday time when schools are closed.

“Instead of just sitting at home and getting into trouble, I come here to get a better understanding of mathematics. We not only get a glimpse from what they teaching in university levels but we can also interact with our tutors and ask them to break down anything we might not understand. I am really grateful for this project,” Schulz added.

However, fifteen year old, Aisha Hill from Manenberg High believes that through taking full advantage of opportunities such as this, she will stand a better chance at getting into a University after school.

“Many people think that we can’t aspire to be anything more because we come from Manenberg but they don’t know how hard many of us work to prove them wrong. We are very thankful to people like Pastor Henkerman, it is through his efforts and the team of Step Aboard that we can have these extra classes during the holidays. I enjoy it at the same time,” Hill chuckled.

“Manenberg is known for all the wrong stuff, but at the same time we believe that there is so much potential here. Therefore, we want to show Cape Town that from Manenberg we can develop great leaders that can plough back into their communities by becoming an example,” Henkerman continued.

Parents and learners, from all areas in the mother city can be a part of this programme. To find out more, contact Pastor Henkerman directly on 021 633 8266 or 082 889 0748.

The Western Cape government recently launched a comprehensive Youth Holiday Programme where forms of assistances are offered to all communities of Cape Town. The joint programme will see efforts from the department of Education, Social Development, Community Safety and Cultural Affairs and Sports assist learners in preparation for the National Senior Certificate (NSC), the Western Cape Education Department (WCED).

Meanwhile, provincial Minister of Education, Debbie Schafer has organised a Grade 12 Winter School programme at 172 schools across the province. Schafer reported that during her visit to a programme at Excelsior Secondary School in Belhar on Thursday, 500 pupils from surrounding schools made a concerted effort to attend.

“The winter schools include tutoring programmes and targeted and sustained interventions at schools where learners are struggling in specific high enrolment subjects. These subjects include Mathematics, Physical Science, Geography, Life Sciences, Accounting and Economics,” Schafer said in a statement.
Many of the schools in the department’s programme are located in communities hard hit by poverty. VOC (Ra’eesah Isaacs)