THE Molteno Institute for Language and Literacy launched the English Access Microscholarship Programme for gr. 9 learners at Molautsi Secondary School in Blood River on Thursday.
Kgadi Agnes Kgobe, the Seshego education circuit manager, said the programme intended to assist learners with English communication skills.
“We have identified and enrolled 35 learners to the programme and they are taught twice a week in the afternoon after their classes. I am happy that there is a programme like this in the circuit. It will improve Annual National Assessment (ANA) results. We are going to monitor the programme to make sure it achieves what it is intended to achieve. The programme will open opportunities for the learners in the future,” said Kgobe.
She said poor communication skills were troublesome issues for the learners.
“When we met with various principals about learners’ performance, all the principals indicated poor language skills were a common challenge, and this has been proven by poor ANA results,” she said.
Maria Snarski, a regional English language officer in the US, said the programme would improve learners’ communication skills.
“We chose the school based on the support the school has shown the programme. The school is willing, eager and interested in participating in the programme. We chose a school which was ready for this, and Molautsi Secondary School is ready, they have shown commitment. We can see from the improved confidence of the learners that the ability to communicate is really life-changing to them,” said Snarski.
She said the programme had already helped learners from other provinces.
“Molautsi started the programme in February and the teachers say they have already seen a change.”
Seipati Machago, Molteno provincial coordinator said learners would receive certificates at the start and upon completion of the programme.
“The programme will run for two years. Molteno is committed to being a world-class organisation that unlocks human potential through the provision of high quality literacy education and research. As part of the programme, the learners have to volunteer at any non-government organisation and give back to the communities they live in.
“We have seen an improvement in some learner’s behaviour and communication skills, and our aim is that the learners finish the programme without dropping out,” said Machago.
