Children from Masiphumelele went back to school last week on the 18th of January 2023. The back-to-school rush is always a difficult time of the year for many parents who need to prioritize their spending and often find themselves with nothing left over for school supplies. Keep reading to find out about some of the challenges parents and children from Masi will face in 2023.

The Cost of School Uniforms

Basics like school shoes and uniforms are often overlooked but can make a huge difference to a child’s morale. Parents with children attending Ukhanyo Primary School can visit Masicorp, which works in partnership with The Sewing Café, to supply Ukhanyo Primary School tracksuits to parents at a subsidised cost of R170 (from February 2023) as opposed to R375. If you would like to get involved and support a child from Masi with new school shoes for 2023 – My Spar and Bata are currently running a promotion. When you shop at Spar and spend R500 or more you can buy new school shoes for just R60. School shoes or qualifying till slips can be dropped off at Masicorp’s offices located at Chasmay Campus (2 Chasmay Road, Masiphumelele).

Overcrowding

Ukhanyo is the only primary school in Masiphumelele. Classes here are large and cramped learning is the norm, with about forty to fifty students to one teacher. Overcrowding in classrooms detracts from learner attention and children often fall behind. Teachers in disadvantaged communities like Masiphumelele must focus on participation rather than comprehension and this leaves many children far behind the learning curve.

Masicorp identified a Learning Labs model at Ukhanyo and currently runs the English Hub and the Maths Lab. These labs support the teaching of Maths and English to give children the best chance of success. The Masifunde programme identifies learners who struggle to read and write in English and with small, focused groups work with these children in an environment where they benefit from the one-on-one teaching time.

Lack of Resources

Computer technology is the backbone of today’s digital age, and this technology will help school leavers apply for jobs as well as be used daily in most positions. In communities like Masi, children seldom have access to computers or the internet. Schools lack the resources that more privileged communities take for granted. Even though smartphones have become commonplace, people living in Masi cannot afford mobile data and therefore many are left without an active internet connection.

Masicorp’s Computer classes for children at the Masi library and more advanced classes for teens at our ICDL centre help bridge this gap. Our coding and after-school maths clubs also give children the opportunity to work on tablet devices to enhance their problem-solving skills within team environments. Our ‘’Pack for a Purpose’’ programme also allows visitors to pack and donate stationery items which are donated to children in our education programmes.

Parents Work Long Hours

Children attending school in Masi have distractions around every corner. Many children get sucked into street life after school rather than doing homework because their parents aren’t around, they work long hours and often only return home late at night. This leaves children vulnerable and can be a direct result of children dropping out of school.

We are so proud to manage the buzzing Chasmay Campus – offering a safe space for after-school activities for hundreds of children each day. These activities are run by Masicorp and 17 other NGO’s working for the communities of Masi and Ocean View. Our new after-care service at Sunnydale Educare Centre for children in Grades 1-3 also helps keep children safe after school while parents are at work, helping with homework and other school-related projects.

Be the Change in 2023

“Let us remember: one book, one pen, one child and one teacher can change the world.”
-Malala Yousafzai

If education is close to your heart and you believe in the effects of education on society then please, help us uplift the community of Masiphumelele with a gift towards quality education here.

To find out more about what we do for the community of Masiphumelele visit our website or give us a call at +27 21 785 1923.