Libraries

Leshata Secondary School was brought to the attention of the trustees after the school consistently achieved a matric pass rate of over 80% over a number of years. This was a remarkable feat because the grade 12s were taught in overcrowded classrooms and many lived in one room shack dwellings shared by an entire family.

We decided to build a library resource centre and a separate study centre for usage after hours, on weekends and during school holidays. Once the building was completed, teachers were given an opportunity to attend workshops on using the library’s resources. Other support included:  

• Teachers attending a short course on science teaching provided by WITS staff
• Supplying ’Lab in a Box’ science kits for the learners  
• Work place opportunities for learners (a number actually found meaningful work after their internships at Imperial companies)
• Retaining a master educator in Accounting for weekly tutoring, while also capacitating subject teachers at the school
• Providing holiday maths programmes for matric learners
• Providing the school with sports kits for inter- and intra-school activities, that included a giant outdoor chess board
• Arranging sporting and academic activities to stimulate a holistic development

Learners of this school are doing exceptionally well at tertiary institutions in and out of the province. The Trust was especially thrilled to do its own unique work at the school separately, yet in tandem with the tutoring sessions in maths from a former Vaal educator-turned-medical-doctor-turned urologist!

What a celebratory coming-together of people wanting to pass it forward!