Anglo American launches education programme in partnership with the Department of Basic Education to improve learners’ educational outcomes
Anglo American today launched a major new education programme, in partnership with the Department of Basic Education (DBE), to improve outcomes for learners in 100 early childhood development (ECD) sites and 100 primary and secondary schools local to its mining operations in South Africa.
The programme was launched at the Ivory Park Secondary School near Midrand by Basic Education Minister, Mrs Angie Motshekga, and Anglo American South Africa Deputy Chairman, Mr Norman Mbazima.
Anglo American has made a substantial investment in education and skills development in South Africa over many years and, in the last five years alone, has invested more than R 780 million, largely on infrastructure and Grade 12 learner support.
“By building on the decades of investment we’ve made in education, we will refocus our resources to provide wide-ranging and quality education, from childhood learning to matric, for the learners in the communities where we operate in South Africa so that they can build a better tomorrow,” said Norman Mbazima, Deputy Chairman of Anglo American South Africa.
Minister Motshekga said: “It is extremely symbolic that as we celebrate 100 years since the birth of our founding President, Tata Nelson Mandela, Anglo American will contribute to the development of 100 schools and 100 early childhood development sites across the country.
We know that the education of our nation’s children was extremely close to the heart of our late President, and we feel this is a fitting tribute that will take our country forward. Now more than ever, we need civil society and business to work with us as Government to ensure we continue to build a quality education system.
Our collaboration with Anglo American is an example of what is possible when government partners with business to contribute to accelerating progress in education.”
Mbazima added: “At Anglo American, we know that the greatest investment we can make in our country’s future is to give our children access to high-quality education. Education can play a significant role in improving people’s lives by tackling the triple challenges of poverty, inequality, and unemployment that South Africa faces.
We’re excited about the potential of this programme to improve the lives of those living around our operations in South Africa.”
The programme has been developed in partnership with the Department of Basic Education, and complements its 2019 Action Plan—Towards the Realisation of Schooling 2030, which details strategies that aim to improve the performance of South Africa’s schooling system.
What the programme seeks to achieve
The Anglo American South Africa Education Programme aims to improve reading, writing and numeracy levels and quality passes through addressing some of the underlying reasons for poor education outcomes by supporting school management teams, governing bodies, principals, and teaching staff.
The programme has set ambitious learner-focussed targets, aiming to see:
- 90% of learners aged five meeting the minimum requirements for school readiness
- 90% of grade 3 learners passing with at least 50% in Numeracy and Literacy
- 75% of grade 6 learners passing with at least 50% in Mathematics and English First Additional Language
- 90% matriculation pass rate, with a 50% university entrance
- 65% of grade 12 learners passing with at least 50% in Mathematics
The programme will support school management teams, governing bodies, principals, staff as well as parents towards achieving these learner-focussed targets. There will be a strong focus on helping teachers develop their content knowledge and teaching skills.
How the programme will improve learners’ educational outcomes
Learners will benefit from a range of interventions which are geared to improve their educational outcomes. Essential upgrades will be made at 100 early childhood development (ECD) sites, so that these are safe and conducive to learning. This will be coupled with ECD practitioner training, to enable practitioners to provide quality early stimulation so that young children are better prepared for school entry.
At approximately 75 primary schools and 25 secondary schools, strategic planning retreats will be facilitated to ensure that each school has a sound strategy and school improvement plan that is owned by and actively implemented by the School Governing Body and School Management Team, with the support of highly skilled and experienced coaches.
At all the schools, systems and processes will be developed, refined and implemented so that the school runs and functions well. Where required, teacher training and coaching will be provided so that the teachers are capacitated to make the best use of teaching and learning time. Finally, at secondary schools, some Saturday school and school camps for Grade 12 learners will be provided.
The programme is one of the first initiatives under Anglo American’s Sustainability Strategy which was launched last month. One of the pillars of the strategy is to create thriving communities close to its operations, with education as a key building block.
“Through this programme, we want to lend a hand to building thriving communities with schools with highly motivated learners and teachers, parents that are involved and effective school management teams. These are some of the essential pillars to achieving quality education that can guarantee a better tomorrow for the next generation,’’ said Mbazima.
For further information and requests for interviews:
Anglo American
Sibusiso Tshabalala
Cell: 081 431 4855
E-mail: sibusiso.tshabalala@angloamerican.com
Ann Farndell
Cell: 071 864 1303
E-mail: ann.farndell@angloamerican.com
Department of Basic Education
Troy Martens
Cell: 078 899 3070
E-mail: Martens.t@dbe.gov.za
Elijah Mhlanga
Cell: 083 580 8275
E-mail: mhlanga.e@dbe.gov.za
Notes to editors:
Anglo American
Anglo American is a global diversified mining business and our products are the essential ingredients in almost every aspect of modern life. Our portfolio of world-class competitive mining operations and undeveloped resources provides the metals and minerals to meet the growing consumer-driven demands of the world’s developed and maturing economies. With our people at the heart of our business, we use innovative practices and the latest technologies to discover new resources and mine, process, move and market our products to our customers around the world.
As a responsible miner – of diamonds (through De Beers), copper, platinum and other precious metals, iron ore, coal and nickel – we are the custodians of what are precious natural resources. We work together with our key partners and stakeholders to unlock the sustainable value that those resources represent for our shareholders, the communities and countries in which we operate and for society at large. Anglo American is re-imagining mining to improve people’s lives.
