What is the Schools Partnership Project (SPP)?
 

Initiated in 2011, the Schools Partnership Project (SPP) aims to contribute to better-performing schools in the basic education sector. Since its inception, the SPP has set itself the goal of meaningful change in the communities where it operates. The project is housed on and managed from our South Campus in Bloemfontein and is funded year-to-year by Corporate Social Investment (CSI). Mentors are appointed to work with teachers, principals, and other members of the school management team (SMT) in specific schools in the Free State and parts of the Eastern Cape.  Mentors, for instance, work with teachers to strengthen their teaching skills and support them in the introduction of technology in the classroom.

The goal of the SPP is to contribute to breaking the cycle of poverty in low-income, previously-disadvantaged communities, such as those in Botshabelo and Thaba ‘Nchu. This is accomplished through targeted interventions by mentors, who mentor and support teachers and SMT members in under-performing schools to excel at their core functions. In turn, academically deserving students are empowered to make sufficient progress in order to access and complete their tertiary education. Once these graduates enter the workforce, they are able to plough back into their communities. We have seen a significant growth in the number of students entering the UFS from schools in this project.

The initiative is entirely funded by Corporate Social Investment initiatives, including companies such as Old Mutual and Sasol, to name a few. Without these supportive partners, the project would not be possible.

SPP mentors make the trip to the different school clusters every Monday through Thursday during school terms, visiting schools and travelling an average of around 400 km each week. On Fridays and during school holidays, the mentors draw up new classroom content and create teaching resources to be used in project schools and beyond.