Way back when. in January 2020, before we all wore masks and sanitised our hands into old age, our team welcomed the interns to the year that had just kicked off! We even wrote a blog post about the day - Terrific 20-somethings learn and hope! A few short weeks later, education as we knew...
When JumpStart tutors faced the delayed return to school due to Covid-19 the team turned the disappointment into an exciting opportunity. The extra time was a bonus. We chose to tutor our tutors in an expanded way. Programme Director, Jabu Thomo, planned a series of workshops over four days at various venues suitable for socially...
Dimakatso Skabata is an intern with a full dance card! On the work side, this 29-year-old splits her time between Kopanelang Thuto Primary, where she tutors six Grade 1 classes and a single Grade 2 class. She also helps out at Taaibos Primary, where she's works with four Grade 1 classes. Maki, as her friends...
On World Education Day South African children should be polishing their school shoes and sharpening their pencils. Instead they await a delayed return to school. Today we give thanks to those who have gone the extra mile during the pandemic to minimise the effects of disrupted education. We join hands with the 1.6 billion students...
Earlier this month, the bleak news of the international TIMSS study 2019 registered with South African educators and parents. It’s hard to comprehend that a staggering 63% of Grade 5 learners lack basic maths comprehension. This means that they are unlikely to succeed in higher grade mathematics. The root cause of this problem is a...
Five primary schools in the Ekurhuleni South District will be coming on board the JumpStart mathematics education programme in January, 2021. Last week a team of Foundation Phase Subject Advisors joined Maria Malaza, Acting Deputy Chief Education Specialist, to celebrate this positive announcement which was made possible with the generous funding of Michael and Susan...
When Pule Morobi arrived for a job interview back in 2018, he had set his mind on becoming a JumpStart tutor. The interviewing team noticed his neat dress and polite manner. Two years later, he's excelling as a team leader at Kumalo Primary School, and here is his story!...
It was a happy coincidence that during Teacher Appreciation Month JumpStart won the 2020 MTN Award for Social Change! This primary school mathematics education and youth employment programme is benefiting 22 000 foundation phase learners in the Ekurhuleni South District. The award, which attracted 143 entries across the three categories, was given in recognition for...
During 2020 Mrs Adelina Msimango shared her office and her heart with four JumpStart interns. As Head of Department (Intersen) at Sekgutlong Primary School she took care of the tutors of the JumpStart programme, which is funded by the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation. As the year draws to a close, she reflects on how...
On International Teachers’ Day we honour the teachers who change the world. One of the remarkable educators who captured our imagination is the acting principal of Ukhanyiso Primary School, Mrs Funeka Phakade. She is holding a golden thread, first received as a girl from her beloved headmaster, now passing it on to tomorrow's teachers. Sitting...
