Organisation helps matriculants get into university
The South African Education and Environment Project (SAEP) started a bridging year programme in 2003. Young people from township schools are assisted with rewriting matric to improve their chances of getting into university, getting a job or doing other useful work for their communities.
The programme duration is ten months. It offers different services such as financial aid, academic and career counselling, CV writing, interview and computer skills. The beneficiaries have access to a social worker.
The organisation cites Sinazo Bunu as a success story. She is from Makhaza Khayelitsha and is a 2010 graduate of the programme. She is currently in her third year studying at Rhodes University. Bunu says, “Through the programme I gained lots of skills. I grew and my marks improved. I got exposed to different environments, my English and computer skills also improved.” The Bridging Year Programme Manager, Sean Wilson said, “A Bachelor’s Pass is required to gain entry into the program. The Bridging Year Program is intended to assist many candidates whose Bachelor’s Pass is not good enough to gain entry into a course of study.”
“Our offices are located in Mowbray while the programme is directly connected to Phillipi High, Sinethemba, Intsebenziswano, Zisukhanyo and Sophumelela Secondary schools. We take in applications from the existing schools, as we have relationships with them, but we are open to applications from anywhere else as well.”
Wilson said the programme is fully funded. Beneficiaries are chosen based on their matric results and personal qualities. Usually the students have a bachelor’s pass but have not been able to gain entry into a tertiary institution.
Since 2003, 110 young people have participated in the programme.
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