A project, which has helped hundreds of young people by giving them a second chance to write their matric exams, is growing from strength to strength, thanks to CPUT and a range of partners.

Recently a new intake of learners, who will make up the class of 2017, were inducted into the Second Chance programme, which will provide them with free tuition.

The CPUT programme was first launched and co -sponsored in 2015 by the National Youth Development Agency and the Education Training and Development Practices SETA.

In 2016, the Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority came on board to sponsor 50 learners specifically for Mathematics and Physical Science.

This year the project is proving to be in huge demand with more than 2 000 applications received for the only 300 available places in 2017.

They will have the opportunity to rewrite the matric exams in Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, Accounting and English First Additional Language, thanks to the Advancement Department, the Service-Learning Unit and the Faculty of Education at CPUT, the Western Cape Education Department and the ETDP-SETA.

At a mini seminar held at the Granger Bay campus, where stakeholders could reflect on and evaluate the project, one of the project’s many success stories was celebrated.

Lakin Seconds, who completed the programme last year and was at the top of the class, has been awarded a bursary through the Solomon Mahlangu Bursary Fund. She is currently studying medicine at the University of the Free State. Her parents thanked the stakeholders for helping Lakin to achieve her goals.  

“No student can turn around and say they didn’t get a second chance. It is an excellent programme.  I don’t have the words to say how thankful we are. I’m promoting the programme wherever I go,” Lakin’s mother, Lynn Seconds, told the stakeholders.

Jacqui Scheepers, project manager and manager of the Service-Learning Unit at CPUT, says the project would continue to build on its successes this year, while aiming to increase attendance and parental involvement.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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The Second Chance Programme at CPUT has once again helped scores of young people to improve their matric marks.

More than 500 learners enrolled for the Second Chance Programme in 2016 and received their results on January 5.

This programme gave them the opportunity to rewrite their matric exams in Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, Accounting and English, thanks to the Service-Learning Unit and Advancement Department at CPUT, the National Youth Development Agency, the Education,Training and Development Practices SETA and the Chemical Industries Education & Training Authority (CHIETA).

The new intake of learners for the class of 2017 will open soon.

Project manager and manager of the Service-Learning Unit at CPUT, Jacqui Scheepers, said 2016 matric pupils who didn’t achieve their goals should remember that there’s always hope.

“All they have to do is make contact with us. All it takes is dedication and hard work. As has been proven by the results, some learners jumped from a failure to 60-odd percent. If they can do it so can you.”

To qualify candidates must have written Grade 12 in the years 2014, 2015 or 2016 and have either failed or wish to improve their mark.

For more information learners can visit the 2^nd Chance application desk at the New Science Building, Bellville campus, CPUT from 16 January – 3 February 2017 from 09:00 – 13:00 to complete applications and submit certified documents.

Bring along three certified copies of your ID and a certified copy of your most recent results. All certified copies must be no older than one month.

Contact Yandiswa Mene at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Theresa Burns at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 082 419 4736 or 021 959 6868/9 for more information.

Written by Ilse Fredericks

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A service-learning project, run by the Education Department at the Wellington Campus, has received a much-needed donation from the Gift of the Givers Foundation.

The foundation, which is the largest disaster response non governmental organisation of African origination on the African continent, lends a helping hand to organisations, countries and individuals who are in need.

Since the foundation’s establishment several years ago, they have delivered over R360 million in aid to 27 countries around the world, including South Africa.

Apart from their disaster relief activities, the foundation lends a helping hand to organisations, schools, projects and individuals who are in need.

The foundation recently donated funds to the Education Department, which will enable them to feed learners from poor and rural schools involved in their Inclusive Education Learner Support Project.

The project, which has been running for several years, is one of the most successful service-learning projects at CPUT.

Irene Lewis, an Inclusive Education Lecturer who is spearheading the initiative, said the project sees Education students providing tutoring to 200 learners from rural schools in the Wellington area over a 10 week period.

Many of the learners have learning problems and through the project have access to individual tutoring in literacy, numeracy and motor skills.

However, Lewis said the learners, who are bussed to the campus once a week for the lessons, often arrive hungry and are unable to concentrate.

“On one occasion a learner was laying with his head on the desk. He told us that he was dizzy because he had not eaten. He said he ate his last meal the previous night,” said Lewis.

Debbie Cilliers, an Inclusive Education Lecturer who is also a convenor on the project said learning is not possible if learners are hungry.

Unable to rely on ad hoc donations for feeding the learners, the lecturers approached the Service-Learning Unit for assistance, who then secured funding from the Gift of the Givers Foundation.

Gawa Sayed, a representative from the foundation said they are passionate about education and did not hesitate to make funds available to feed the learners for the duration of the project.

Sayed, who visited the Wellington campus to see the project in action, said she was impressed with the level of commitment from staff, students and learners including how well the project was run.

On arrival to the campus, learners meet up with their student tutors and then enjoy lunch. They are then taken to various venues where they receive individual tutoring.

Jacqui Scheepers, Manager of the Service-Learning Unit said the Education Department’s project is an excellent model for other service-learning projects.

By Candes Keating

Written by CPUT News
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