Pupils of 960 underperforming primary schools in Gauteng stand to benefit from an after school support initiative launched recently by the provincial education department.
According to the department, pupils will receive one hour of supervised homework as well as one hour of supervised play or physical education every day after school.
The education department will be working with the department of infrastructure development, targeting the unemployed and training them, as part of the Expanded Public Works Programme, to help pupils with their homework.
Homework assistants will ensure that pupils are punctual and facilitate their studies. They will observe and discuss progress and challenges faced by the pupils in completing their homework as well as sign homework and keep an attendance register.
The programme was launched in recognition of the challenges faced by low-income households where parents do not have the time to provide their children with academic support. Some parents are also illiterate and cannot offer their children any meaningful school-related assistance. The department said some families do not have space for children to do their homework, while some are child-headed.
Pupils will also receive care and support beyond “normal contact time” by taking part in arts and culture activities including sporting codes that they were previously not exposed to such as rugby, cricket and in some instances even netball. Activities will only take place after school and will end at 4pm every day. School nutrition and scholar transport have been adjusted accordingly.
Who will be employed?
Only South African citizens with a valid ID and who live near the schools will be employed. Women and people with disabilities and the unemployed will get preference. The department said part-time workers have already received training and taken accredited courses.
Training covers areas such as induction, supervisory and management skills, interpersonal skills and facilitation, data capturing, safety and security level 1-3 training, professional training and development for homework, sport-specific training in coaching and umpiring, as well as arts and culture such as music, dance and creative arts.
Each school will be allocated between six and 14 homework assistants, between six and 14 sports and culture assistants, a maximum of six safety patrollers and two general supervisors. The size of the school will determine the number of assistants needed and patrollers will have to meet additional criteria depending on the risk factors at the school.
Part-time workers will receive a stipend for hours worked.