At the Steve Tshwete Secondary School in Olievenhoutbosch, a sprawling informal settlement south of Centurion, Gauteng, for example, this is done through a specialised training programme. A group of 44 engineers working in the aerospace and defence industry give up their weekends to share their knowledge of these essential subjects with pupils in grades 8 to 11.
Mike Ngidi, Denel's human resources and transformation group executive, said that the programme started in 2008 and benefits nearly 80 pupils a year. "Denel is contributing to an improvement in the quality of maths and science teaching through outreach programmes and additional tuition offered to learners in disadvantaged areas," he said, adding that Denel's education programs are "opening new study and career opportunities to deserving students - especially in the engineering professions." The programme is run in conjunction with the school's teachers, to make sure there is a continuation with what the pupils are doing in the school syllabus.
Steve Tshwete Secondary School's principal, Takalani Ndou, said there has been a remarkable improvement in science and maths results since the Denel Training Academy chose the school as its project school. "We have recorded five maths and science distinctions in two years - an achievement not earned before in the school's short history." The pupils who attend the classes are given study guides, stationery and bags. "Our intention is to promote engineering as a career choice for school leavers through our tutoring programme and the provision of bursaries to deserving students," Venashree McPherson, the people development manager at Denel Dynamics, told Media Club South Africa.
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