On the 6^th September 2011, Kagiso Trust officially launched infrastructure at three of the BNSDP schools in KwaZulu Natal. Whilst other schools in the area battle with poor Matric results, Sebenzakusakhanya High School, Phumulani High School (in Nquthu) and Ubongumenzi High Schools in the Glencoe region have flourished over the last few years with the support of Kagiso Trust and certainly have something to celebrate.

It hasn’t always been an easy road. For years, some of the schools battled with relational issues among educators, learner interest in their studies and structurally some of the schools were falling apart.  However, thanks to a four year programme initiated by Kagiso Trust, today the schools tell a very different story.  Kagiso Trust together with the KwaZulu Natal Department of Education proudly launched infrastructure, including a much needed library, computer centre and science laboratory at each school.

Kgosto Schoeman, CEO of Kagiso Trust explains, “Although the programme is about rewarding schools with infrastructure, more than that, it’s about a holistic approach to education that tackles all the facets of schooling and education, starting with the teachers.”

With continued guidance and engagement from the Kagiso Trust, the schools have been transformed. Delighted learners at the schools entertained the guests at the launches while KwaZulu Natal MEC for Education, Mr. ES. Mchunu, addressed the audience.  He said, “I would like to applaud the contribution made by the partnership between Kagiso Trust and the KwaZulu Natal Department of Education as the infrastructure launched will allow learners from Ubongumenzi, Phumulani and Sebenzakusakhanya to receive quality and superior education.”

The infrastructure rewards are a result of Kagiso Trust, together with the KwaZulu Natal Provincial Department of Education working with a cluster of ten schools in the Nquthu, Glencoe and Msinga regions for the past two years. The programme engages with every aspect of a targeted school, from gaining support from the local Department of Education to engaging with governance of the school. A comprehensive analysis of each school is conducted at the outset, including an assessment of the standards of Mathematics, Science and English. A professional team is then deployed by the Kagiso Trust to assist educators with the curriculum and to provide on-site support.

“Only when there is a substantial improvement in Grade 12 results, as seen in these three schools in KwaZulu Natal, does the school qualify for infrastructural development,” explains Schoeman. “This approach not only serves as motivation for learners and educators, but also ensures that a school is ready to make the most out of the new facilities.”

With help from the BNSDP, Phumulani, Ubongumenzi and Sebenzakusakhanya High Schools have improved their results on average by 13% percent in 2010, a shining light for both the province and the programme. Furthermore, eight of the ten schools in the district participating in our programme achieved results higher than the national average.