Some lucky kids were given a nice surprise as they went back to school today. Radio station Ukhosi FM did a live broadcast from Muzomuhle Primary School in Umlazi Township, courtesy of PEP. Prizes were handed out and everyone was given the chance to have their photograph taken with their parents and Ukhosi FM‘s DJ, Linda “Mr. Magic” Sibiya.
Sphamandla Malakwane, aged 9, was excited to go back to school today, especially with the entertainment that PEP and Ukhosi FM provided for the learners on their first day back at school. Sphamandla loves coming to school to do maths and his favourite teacher is Miss B from Muzomuhle Primary School. He also loves swimming but unfortunately there is no pool nearby.
Another learner aged 11, Andile Mngoma enjoys learning and loves going to school every day. Miss Mngoma, no relation to Andile, is her favourite teacher because she is ‘beautiful and calm’. Her best subject is maths and says she wants to become a doctor one day so she can help the community.
PEP held radio station outside broadcasts at three of the eleven schools nationally which host the PEP Academy. The PEP Academy provides literacy and numeracy ‘homework’ sessions for Grade 4 learners to assist with the switch from having lessons in their mother tongue to English. Grade 4 learners often battle at this juncture in their school life. In 2014 and at eleven schools nationally, PEP Academy will give 1,815 children after-school training on three afternoons a week. All the children receive a light meal and, importantly, are kept safe and off the streets.
Since its launch in 2008, the PEP Academy has helped 10 000 learners and given special training to 97 teachers. The Academies, which have been endorsed by the Department of Education, are successful: on average, literacy and numeracy scores have increased annually by 24% and 20% respectively.
The newly launched Grade 5 PEP Academy includes lessons and activities based upon 100 books contained in a classroom library. This initiative is now in six schools and, in 2014, will help 660 Grade 5 children foster a joy of reading.
For many years now, PEP has made ‘education’ its core focus for corporate social investment and development. PEP’s Marketing Director, Nobesuthu Tom says: “We try to be most effective by helping to keep children at school and helping them to enjoy their school experience too. School life should not only help create a better life for learners but it should also be fun… and that’s why we added a bit of fun for some kids as they went back to school today.”