A pioneering initiative to enable learners from poor backgrounds to attend South Africa’s top schools celebrates its 10th anniversary this month.
The Student Sponsorship Programme (SSP) told the Mail & Guardian it has more than 300 learners currenty placed in top-rated schools in Gauteng and the Eastern Cape. Since its inception in 2000 — predating Oprah Winfrey’s high-profile school based on similar principles by several years — more than 200 pupils have been beneficiaries of the programme.
“What makes this programme different to many others is that each of the scholars gets a mentor who guides them through the entire high school programme,” SSP student recruitment officer Busisiwe Maile told the M&G.
“The mentors usually come from our corporate sponsors although anyone with potential and time to mentor is considered and we have some former recipients mentoring as well.”
The programme is modelled on the Student Sponsor Partnership in New York, which recruits individuals who serve as mentors and contribute financially to the education of New York public school children.
In January 2000, the first class of 25 learners began their schooling at three of Johannesburg’s top high schools — St. Mary’s, King Edward VII and St. Stithians. SSP received more than 200 applicants for only 25 places then available.
Pupils in the programme achieved a 100% matric pass rate in 2009 and the class of 2008 notched up 74 distinctions. All the 2009 graduates were accepted into universities.
To qualify for the prgramme, learners must be 12 or younger and meet certain criteria of financial need. They must also have an overall average of at least 65%, and more than 65% in maths, English and natural science.
Each year the organisation sends out invitations to 2 200 primary schools in Gauteng for applications, with the learners given until the end of October to apply for the following year. If their applications pass the first hurdle they are required to write an examination to be considered for the programme.
Once potential participants are identified, they are put on an intensive nine-month Scholars Development Programme (while in grade 7). This programme enhances learners’ skills in English, maths and natural science. Learners also attend workshops in leadership and life skills workshops.
Twenty-two schools in Gauteng and the Eastern Cape now participate in the programme, including the American International School in Johannesburg, Clarendon College (East London), Diocesan School for Girls (Grahamstown), St John’s College, St Stithian’s and Pretoria Boys.
“The contributions from our corporate sponsors in South Africa and abroad varies from case to case but typically we raise about R40 000 for each recipient per year,” Maile said.
“In most cases the cost is split 50/50 between the school between the school and the sponsors but this varies from case to case.”
The scholars’ high school years are funded and they receive “ancillary support, such as uniforms, textbooks, stationery, sport equipment, school educational trips, extra lessons and psychological services”, Maile said.
When learners graduate fom their high schools, they become members of the SSP Alumni Organisation, which has chapters in several tertiary institutions across South Africa.
“One of SSP’s goals is to see the SSP alumni ploughing back into the organisation by funding a number of learners entering the SSP programme,” said Maile.
For more info visit the SSP website.