Local schools partner with Wits for learners’ future

The recently launched Ext 1 Eldorado Park Project Steering Committee (PSC) has partnered with Willow Creston Secondary School, Eldomaine High School, Eldorado Park Secondary School and Wits University to prepare grades 10, 11 and 12 learners for tertiary education.

On October 1, the PSC selected 10 learners per school to attend a career guidance session presented by Wits.

Learners received guidance on the required admission points scores (APS) for various courses in the science andhumanities faculties and were encouraged to apply for bursaries.

PSC deputy chairperson Siswe Maseko said the PSC organised an after-high-school tour to expose learners to life beyond school.

“Most children go to school, and some drop out, ending up on the streets complaining about unemployment. We saw it fit to help children whose parents cannot do it for them,” he explained.

Maseko thanked sponsors for providing the learners with breakfast packs, lunch and transport. He thanked sponsors Shaheeds Fast Food, Igsaan Bennett, Intouch Fitness, Desmond April Saliem Bosman, the Southern Suburbs Taxi Association and Christopher Lynch, among others.

“Whoever is willing to lend a helping hand is welcome to assist, enabling us to greater enable this programme and change lives,” said Maseko.

The other PSC executive members include chairperson Arthur Wilson, deputy secretary Dillon McKeddow, treasurer Deen Quincy Jones, deputy treasurer Prince Eybers, media liaison officer Grand Hughes, deputy communications officer Gerando Ludick, communications liaison officer Tyrese Ludick, organiser Joseph Peterson and deputy Walter Events.

Lemeo Khiba (16), a Grade 10 Willow Creston Secondary School learner, discovered new course options.

“I never considered enrolling at Wits because I did not know they offered engineering and actuarial sciences. After reviewing the prospectus, I realised there were more options, like aerospace and electrical engineering.”

Khiba needs distinctions in maths and physical science to qualify for actuarial science. An APS of 42 and distinctions in maths and physical science are required for aerospace engineering.

Tazlia Ludich (16), a Grade 10 learner from Eldorado Park Secondary School, reiterated the importance of learning for independence. She aspires to study medicine but is undecided about which institution to attend.

Grade 11 learner Caidian Meyer (17) from Eldorado Park Secondary School learnt about opportunities in the humanities.

“Today, I learnt that you can become a therapist or criminologist. I am considering studying psychology at Wits, but the University of Johannesburg is also an option.”

He said the PSC was formed to tackle bread-and-butter issues, having seen Ext 1 sidelined in service delivery and job creation.

“We united as a community to curb gangsterism, unemployment and social ills. We want to take better care of our community and bring life into it to attract people.”

Although local businesses contributed to the initiative, Maseko acknowledged that other businesspeople in the community are not giving back.

Charis Pretorius, an Eldomaine High School School Governing Body (SGB) member and Eldos SGB Forums media liaison officer, praised the PSC’s initiative.

“The children needed exposure to see beyond Eldos’ boundaries. It will, hopefully, change their thinking regarding obtaining tertiary qualifications.”

Pretorius encouraged community support for schools, particularly matriculants, to ensure a brighter future and the ability to think outside the box.