Second chancers achieve great results
HOUGHTON – The ORT SA Second Chance group from Alexandra who rewrote maths and science at the end of last year received fantastic results.
“The progress made by them is remarkable,” said spokesperson of the group, Marcelle Ravid. “With a pass rate of 94 percent in maths and 92 percent in science, it is more than double the national pass rate.”
Ravid further stated that 20 young adults of the group achieved more than 50 percent in maths, allowing them access to science, technology, engineering and math careers.
“The average mark compared to 2014 increased by 35 percent in maths and 20 percent in science. Some students’ results improved by 150 to 190 percent. For example, student Praiseworth Mchunu’s marks went up from 37 percent to 62 percent in maths,” Ravid continued.
According to Ravid, within the group of 53 post-matriculants, there were two students, Joseph Nyembe and Pearson Rangani, who excelled beyond expectations with their results.
Nyembe (19) obtained entrance to university after rewriting maths and physical science.
“We were lost, with all hope vanished when ORT SA and Bidvest helped us with a second chance at going to university,” said Nyembe.
“They gave us daily lessons, textbooks, calculators and computer training. We went into the exams and conquered them, now I can conquer anything.”
Rangani, who joined ORT SA’s Second Chance programme in January last year, was rated by his teachers as the top pupil in his class. He did his maths and science studies in Alexandra and achieved impressive results in both subjects.
“There was a fantastic improvement in the results, overall. We are aiming for even better results for 2016,” said Mpho Matlala, head of the teacher empowerment department at ORT SA.
“There are so many matriculants who wish to better their maths and science marks. What makes me so positive about the programme is that we have seen vast improvements in the students’ assessments.”
If post-matriculants are interested in improving their math and science marks in order to gain access to tertiary institutions, they are invited to join the organisation’s 2016 Alexandra Recovery Programme.
The programme aims to develop students’ maths and scientific knowledge, skills and attitudes, thereby enabling them to further their studies as well as help them to overcome the myth that maths and science are difficult subjects.
Details: www.ortsa.org.za
