Education
Education
SHAWCO Education offers services at SHAWCO community centres and schools in the areas we work in, namely Manenberg, Kensington, Khayelitsha, Nyanga and Mitchells Plain. In most of these areas, there is widespread gangsterism, substance abuse is high, and violence against children and youth is on the increase.
The Education sector, one of the six branches of the organisation, offers after-school
educational projects run from centres in five underserved Cape Town communities.
These projects aid learners from Grade R through to Grade 11, and run from Monday to
Saturday each week, offering learners assistance in core subject areas. Our projects are
staffed by our volunteer base of nearly 1 400 people.
Our sector recognises the educational inequalities that exist within Cape Town, and works
to provide the much-needed resources and facilities to support the academic growth of
learners. Our volunteers empower our learners, providing them with a holistic learning
experience, and guiding them not only in academics, but also on the sports field, through
personal growth workshops, and opportunities for development.
Gr. R–3 Ages 6–9
Foundation projects aim to create a love of literacy through holistic and interactive fun activities.
These projects utilise volunteers who are fun-loving and enjoy interacting with little children between the ages of six and nine years old.
Activities:
– Song circles which include physical movement
– Paired reading
(one volunteer for two learners)
– Small worksheet group work
– Choral reading (reading by a volunteer or learners in a group)
Each session also includes an opportunity for one grade to go to the local library.
Gr. 4–7 Ages 9–13
Junior projects aim to create a love of literacy and numeracy. The children are between the ages of nine to thirteen years old.
Although the focus is mainly academic, there is a strong holistic approach with a wide-spectrum curriculum, which includes environmental and social topics. Creative learning is a primary focus.
Activities:
– Maths worksheet groups
– English reading comprehension with workbook exercises
– Environment and society awareness
– Education excursion at least twice annually
– Annual wilderness camp
Gr. 8–9 Ages 14–15
The transition from child to young adult.
These projects not only deal with academic topics, but also typical teen problems such as identity, career guidance, sex education, school subject choices, relationships and family situations, as well as difficult topics like domestic violence, gangs and substance abuse.
Activities:
– Workbook exercises in Mathematics, English and Life Orientation in small groups (3–6) assisted by a volunteer
– Workshops on career choices, sex and identity, gangs and crime
– Monthly hikes
– Annual wilderness camp
Gr. 10–11 Ages 16–17
Senior projects are academically focused. The projects follow the curriculum set by the Western Cape Department of Education.
Additionally, each senior project hosts its own development project which aims to equip the learners with necessary skills to fully utilise opportunities around them, as they take the final steps of
Activities:
– Focused subject-specific group work using online tools
– Career guidance and workshops at University of Cape Town
– Grade 12 tuition in preparation for final high school examinations
The projects are held at the following sites:
| Area | Project Name | Project Service |
|---|---|---|
| Kensington (SHAWCO community centre) |
Kenstep KenSO KenSMART Shift IT* |
Junior – Grade 4–7 Intermediate – Grade 8–9 Senior – Grade 10–11 Computer training |
| Khayelitsha (SHAWCO community centre) |
Little STEP STEP Stepping Out SMART LAWCO Shift IT* |
Foundation – Grade R–3 Junior – Grade 4–7 Intermediate – Grade 8–9 Senior – Grade 10–11 Senior – Grade 10–11 Computer training |
| Manenberg (SHAWCO community centre) |
Little Star STAR StarSO Shift IT* |
Foundation – Grade R–3 Junior Grade 4–7 Intermediate Grade 8–10 Computer training |
| Mitchell’s Plain (school) | LAWCO | Senior – Grade 10–11 |
| Nyanga (school) |
Little Moon Sitsaba |
Foundation – Grade R–3 Junior – Grade 4–7 |
SHAWCO Students’ Office:
Steve Biko Student Union Building
University of Cape Town
education@shawco.org
Education Sector Coordinator:
Ainsley Grootboom
ainsley.grootboom@uct.ac.za
Tel: 021 650 5019
Cell: 081 728 3597
The Year Beyond programme is a 10-month volunteer tutor programme which begins in February and ends in November. While on the programme, volunteers are placed in a school as a tutor in their after-school programme. Volunteer tutors offer literacy, numeracy and homework support, and also participate in a self-development and leadership programme.
Volunteering with Year Beyond is a full-time, five day a week commitment, and volunteers are busy from 9am to 5pm every day. They complete their self-development programme in the mornings and are transported to their school in the afternoon to run the after-school education support and learner development programme.
SHAWCO’s role as an NGO with Year Beyond as an IA in the Manenberg community with two schools, namely Downeville Primary and Phoenix Secondary.
Website link: www.westerncape.gov.za/yearbeyond
List of centres
Kensington
153 12th Ave
Kensington
Cape Town
7405
021 593 2170
Khayelitsha (two centres)
K1 – Khayelitsha
Cape Town
7784
021 361 5142
K2 – G323
Mongesi Rd
Village 2 North
Cape Town
7784
021 823 6747
Nyanga
Sithandatu Avenue
Nyanga
Cape Town
7750
021 386 7800
Manenberg
Manenberg Primary School
Corner of Kei Street & Kasouga Road
Manenberg
Cape Town
7764
021 633 1593
Academic Interventions Unit (AIU)
Fees: 3 Subjects – R347; 2 Subjects – R315
Workbook fees: R400
Ashleen Roberts
AIU Administrator (LEx)
ashleen.roberts@uct.ac.za
(021) 404 7680