Past Protec pupil returns the favour as schools battle under lockdown regulations

Teachers remain spread thin under the grip of lockdown level 3 but a much needed helping hand at Tongaat Protec is making clear the path for struggling pupils.

A career enrichment programme which promotes math, science and technological literacy, Protec is attended by pupils in grade 10, 11 and 12.

The centre, which mostly works with students from poor communities, is facing a number of challenges owing to Covid-19 regulations, the main one being that they are unable to host classes at normal capacity, forcing the centre to make due with only 2 classrooms split between the grades.

Protec manager, Marion Takis said this means that Grade 10s and 11s are seen every alternating Saturday, with only Grade 12s being taught every Saturday.

“Teachers around the country are very stretched and simply do not have the capacity to teach students as they should,” she said.

Seeing the need, former Protec pupils are stepping up to help.

Bhamshela resident and aspiring teacher Mondli Mngadi, is one Protec former pupil who teaches Grade 10s and 11s Mathematics and Physics on Mondays and Tuesdays to make sure they stay up-to-date.

“He is passionate about teaching and just so happens to be studying a B Ed at the University of KwaZulu-Natal,” said Takis.

Mondli, who matriculated in 2020 said that he grew up being told that ‘the one hand washes the other’.

“I have always believed in giving back to the community, and I am so glad this is the way I can do that. I realised I have always been a teacher at heart, because I feel alive and fulfilled when I see somebody lighting up after I explain something and they understand it.”
Takis said volunteers like Mondli were critical to the programme’s success.

“Having Mondli means more of our pupils can be taught at a time. This exemplifies the spirit of Ubuntu and the generosity of spirit to help each other,” said Marion.

Mondli joined Protec when he was in Grade 11.

He said teachers saw potential in him and he was lucky that Protec had space for him because without their help he would not have achieved the results he needed in matric.

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