Outstanding learners awarded for excellence

BEATING the odds and despite over 200 days of power cuts and being the hardest hit by the pandemic when it broke in their Grade 10 year, the Engen Maths and Science School’s (EMSS) matric class of 2022 achieved flying colours.

Engen held an awards ceremony on February 11, at Fairvale Secondary School to honour Grade 10 to 12 learners and name the top EMSS achievers in Durban, where classes are held at Fairvale, Ganges, Hillview and Umlazi Commercial High School.

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Engen’s manager of transformation and stakeholder engagement, Dr James Nyawera, said that the EMSS programme focuses specifically on providing extra tuition in ‘gateway’ subjects such as mathematics and science, which are considered critical in addressing the country’s technical and engineering skills shortage as well as spurring economic growth and development.

“While Engen is extremely proud of all the 2022 matriculants, I must make special mention of, and commend the incredible results attained by some of our top achievers from our Durban EMSS centres,” added Nyawera.
Austerville resident, Nicarla Leah Victor, is all set to pursue her dream of becoming a cardiologist after chalking up seven distinctions in matric.

An alumnus of Grosvenor Girls’ High School, situated on The Bluff, Nikki plans to study medicine at the University of KwaZulu-Natal this year, after scoring 86% for English, 88% for mathematics and 93% for science. Simangaliso Zondi, an Umlazi resident who attended the Fairvale EMSS centre, notched up seven distinctions and is planning to study mechanical engineering. An alumnus of Umbilo Secondary School, Simangaliso achieved an impressive 88% for mathematics and 83% for science.

Charlise Quarrie, from Wentworth, chalked up six distinctions which has earned her a place to study medicine at the University of Pretoria this year.

Also an alumnus of Umbilo Secondary School, Charlise achieved an impressive 86% for English and science and 87% for mathematics, which marks that will allow her to follow her dream of becoming a successful, passionate and joyful doctor.

Montclair learner, Temiloluwa Precious Jaiyeola, bagged six distinctions including 87% for English, 86% for maths and 84% for science, and dreams of specialising as a cardiothoracic surgeon.

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The New Forest High School alumnus has landed herself a coveted place to study medicine at the University of Witwatersrand.

“The EMSS programme seeks to harness the potential of talented young people in difficult circumstances and to also contribute to the pool of scarce skills in the country,” added Nyawera.

The EMSS programme’s crucial role and relevance was highlighted after recent statistics from the Department of Basic Education (DBE) indicated that more learners are opting to write maths literacy, which increased by 108 642 learners between 2020 and 2022 compared to pure maths, which only increased by 36 419 learners over that time.

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