The academy is a year-old mathematics and science initiative that is in the process of being registered as a non-profit organisation.
The school partnered with the academy and became the location for the Saturday classes, however, the programme is open to all high school pupils in Midrand.
“The cost for the subsidised pupils is R500 per month, that would be pupils from Noordwyk High School, and for the unsubsidised it will be a R1 000,” said Andrew Pieterson, one of the founders of the academy.
The funds generated go towards study material and to paying the stipends of the university students that will participate in the peer teaching programme. One of them is Lucky Mazibuko, a Post Graduate Certificate in Education student at the University of the Witwatersrand. “I am looking forward to learning and gaining people skills as this will help me in a classroom situation.”
“I enjoy being able to give a helping hand and seeing that [someone achieves their goals as a result],” he said.
Mazibuko also said his future at Wits was threatened earlier in the year when NSFAS refused to renew his bursary. “I didn’t have the R5 000 for registration,” he said. However, Pieterson said the academy organised that Mazibuko get a full bursary which includes tuition, accommodation and meals.
Mazibuko said the programme was not only special because its founders cared for the well-being of their members, but because of their unique teaching methods as well. “Every successful country in the world takes what is in a book and teaches it in a unique way so that their people may understand, such as China,” he said.
“Spaceball makes these subjects fun and [less intimidating],” he said.
In the meeting held at Noordwyk High School on 7 February, a project management committee was elected to ensure the smooth running of the academy.
Details: nkululeko.winsnow@gmail.com
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