Alexandra Education Committee hosts an alumni ceremony

Releasing young minds’ true potential through education has seen learners from in and around the Alexandra township benefit for over 20 years.

This is thanks to the Alexandra Education Committee (AEC), based at Waverley Girls’ High School, who recently hosted an alumni ceremony.

The ceremony saw the reunion of about 36 alumni who planned and suggested ways of giving back in order to help the learners who are currently part of the AEC programme.

According to the committee’s tertiary advisor for Grade 10s and 11s and counsellor Sydney Seolonyane, the learners are selected during their Grade 6 year as potential AEC bursars from schools in and around Alexandra.

“In their Grade 7 year the potential bursary candidates are given the opportunity to attend Saturday school for difficult subjects such as mathematics, physical science, accounting and English. The learners are also provided with uniforms, transport money, textbooks, stationery and food.”

Seolonyane explained that the programme has helped equip many learners for many years and was always motivated by the success stories that came with being part of the programme. “Having the alumni group attend the ceremony was very nice as they came up with creative ideas which will help the learners we have right now. The group suggested a voluntary buddy system which will see them pair with a leaner and mentor them through either showing them what the respective field is all about.”

The AEC, was founded in 1996 by Deane Yates. Throughout the test of time, the programme has proven to be a well-managed school bursary scheme, where promising learners from in and around Alexandra are provided with quality secondary school education.

Seolonyane stated that their first AEC alumni Class of 1999 matrics who were present at the ceremony were planning to do something to recognise the footing they received.

Alumni coordinator and one of the learner counsellors Joy Mhlongo explained that the support they received from their alumni meant a great deal as it was a testament that they haven’t forgotten where they first received help to equip them to further their lives.

When asked what kept them going as an NGO Mhlongo said, “Reaping the fruits is all that matters to this organisation. Being an alumnus myself, I had to give back to this great programme which has helped me become something in life and I would love the same for the children from my neighbourhood.”

Mhlongo stated that they were looking for donations and volunteers who wished to help the leaners in the programme. “We are looking for people who believe in the children of the Alexandra township and are welcome to donate on either our Facebook page or our website. They can also adopt a learner and help give them the necessary skills they need to further their lives.”

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https://northeasterntribune.co.za/227633/education-committees-23-years-of-dedication-to-alex/