Sparrow Schools celebrates their first graduating batch of Technical Occupational Qualification graduates.
Some learn by reading, some learning by doing but the goal is for everyone to learn. This is a philosophy understood by Sparrow Schools in Sophiatown and on 13 November they celebrated those who recently mastered the art of learning by doing. The school’s first cohort of graduates from their Technical Occupational Qualification (TOQ) which is a four-year programme aimed to educate and train learners who are more practically minded.
Head of the department for technical skills, Candice Nepgen explained that the qualification will enable these learners to continue with their schooling or head into the workforce. “With the TRQ they will be able to either become life-long learners and go to a FET(further education and training) college, become an entrepreneur or apply for jobs in the market.”
Sparrow Schools was one of the lucky few schools to pilot the Technical Occupational Qualification, meaning these are among the first learners to receive this qualification. According to the school’s principal Cathrine Henderson, the qualification puts the young learners at a National Qualification Framework (NQF) Level 1 which is equal to a Grade 9. Henderson will now have to say goodbye to the learners but is fully confident of their abilities. “After this, there is nothing stopping them from going out there and making something out of themselves. They have the hands-on experience and credible skills they need to be ready for work.”
Sparrow Schools puts their hospitality learners to work on the day as they prepared the tables, decoration and desserts for the graduating class of 2020. The Rocomama’s Campus Square shared meals with every learner and teacher present at the graduation. According to the store’s Lulama Ntseteni, they wanted to be part of the event to celebrate the achievements of the learners. “We decided to join today to congratulate all the learners and share something nice with them, they have earned it and everything else coming their way. We usually work with the school but inviting their hospitality and catering learners to tour and experience our kitchen, this year because of Covid-19, we couldn’t.” Sparrow Schools thanked Ntseteni and her team for adding to the festivities of the day and appreciated the relationship between the two.
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