NGO aims to boost maths, science pass rates

A LOCAL NGO, TS Life Coaching Project, is confident that the extra classes it provided for high school pupils in Galeshewe this year will help boost the physical science and mathematics pass rates.

The NGO started its Master Pure Mathematics and Physical Science classes in July this year. The classes were held on Saturdays at Valentino High School and are presented by students from Sol Plaatje University once a week.

The NGO managed to register about 150 pupils in grades 8 to 12 from different schools.

The founder of the initiative, Thabo Phungwayo, said the project started on a voluntary basis.

He added that parents had volunteered to contribute R100 towards assisting the students.

According to Phungwayo, they started the initiative after realising that pupils struggle with these two subjects and are in desperate need of intervention.

He pointed out that, after realising the impact of the intervention classes, the parents decided to contribute towards covering the transport costs of the student teachers and other minor costs.

Phungwayo said they currently have five students teaching, but they have the potential to increase the number of teachers as interest in the extra classes has grown.

The Saturday classes currently offer maths for Grade 8 and 9 pupils, and both maths and science for the Grade 10s, 11s and 12s.

According to Phungwayo, they have plans to expand the project to include more schools in Kimberley, Greenpoint, Roodepan, Barkly West and Ritchie next year.

“We have already registered the NGO and will be having an award ceremony for those who performed well in the exams,” said Phungwayo.

“We have also approached different stakeholders for partnerships and assistance with resources.

“This is our first year and we are already satisfied with the interest shown and the progress the pupils have made with their results.”