Rays of Hope call on graduates to help bridge education gap

Did you know that since the start of the pandemic, the number of children out of school in South Africa has tripled?

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund reported that this number increased from 250 000 in March 20200 to 750 000 in July 2021.

In an effort to help bridge the education gap, Rays of Hope calls is calling on graduates in the community to give back to learners as it plans to expand its Rose Act Saturday School.

The school was started by the Hurlingham-based foundation almost a decade ago for learners in grades 4 to 10.

According to Rose Act School principal Bafana Mohale, Covid-19 widened the disparities and inequity in education system.

“When the world fails to educate its children, we all suffer. Children from the poorest households, children who head households, those with disabilities, and other marginalized groups are falling further behind their peers in their learning as a result.”

To alleviate this gap, every Saturday an estimated 300 learners gather at Pholosho Secondary School in Alexandra for extra mathematics and English classes.

The non-profit is now looking to expand its team and subject offering in next year with physical science, accounting and economics becoming available to learners in grades 10 and 11.

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In an effort to do this, the organisation does require additional tutors.

Many of the current tutors are Rose Act alumni, like Eva Noble who is a lead senior program manager by trade and teaches mathematics every Saturday.

“People need to understand when you are in a class of 60 other children, the few that get left behind are not stupid, they just need a little bit of time and guidance. We need to help them learn the basics so that they can build upon those skills.”

By joining the likes of tutor team, you can change the lives of learners in Alexandra one Saturday at a time.

To find out more, visit www.raysofhope.co.za

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