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05 January 2018 Photo Elrieka van Dalen
UFS congratulates Free State on matric results
With projects like the Internet Broadcast Project and the Schools Partnership Project, the UFS helps to improve education at schools in the Free State.

The University of the Free State (UFS) congratulates the Free State and its learners on their outstanding performance in the 2017 matric results. The university, which also plays a role in promoting excellence at school level, is proud of the Free State’s achievement as the best-performing province in the country with an 86,1% pass rate, excluding progressed learners.

“On behalf of the executive management, staff, and students of the UFS, I would like to extend our warmest congratulations to the Free State MEC of Education and his executive team in the Department of Education in the Free State, on being the top-achieving province in South Africa for the second consecutive year," said Prof Francis Petersen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS, in a message sent to Mr Tate Makgoe, MEC of Education in the Free State Province.

He further said, "The UFS is proud to be associated with the Department of Education and salutes them for the many initiatives in schools across the province, which contributed to this year’s outstanding matric results. Some of these projects include those presented in conjunction with the university’s South Campus, such as the Internet Broadcast Project (IBP), the Schools Partnership Project (SPP), and training programmes for school principals."

Internet Broadcast Project

The UFS IDEAS Lab in the Department of Open and Distance Learning on the UFS South Campus is supporting learners in 89 schools through the IBP. Daily, the IBP transmits lessons to 83 schools spread across five districts in the Free State for learners in Grades 8 to 12. Learners also have electronic access to this material, which is presented for more than 15 school subjects. The project is a collaboration between the university and the Free State Department of Education. It includes support for subjects such as Mathematics, Physical Science, Life Science, Economics, Accounting, and Geography.

Schools Partnership Project

The SPP focuses on teachers in order to have a more sustainable impact, with 69 schools in the Free State and Eastern Cape benefiting from it. It makes use of a total of 30 mentors who assist teachers and headmasters with school management, Mathematics, Physical Science, Accounting, and English as language of learning. Mentors visit schools and share knowledge, extra material, and technology to improve the standard of teaching. Matric results and Bachelor’s pass rates have improved dramatically in these schools.

Another aspect is the identification of learners with potential to go to university (so-called first-generation students). They are assisted through extra classes and in applying for tertiary education and bursaries. Many of them currently study at the UFS, and also receive mentorship here.

News Archive

Student leaders' hard work rewarded
2013-05-01

Four student leaders on our Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa Campuses each received a scholarship of R15 000. Handré Hay, Estine Cronje, Tsepang Lenka and Jean Vermaas were rewarded for the positive impact they had on the student community in the past three years or more. Student Affairs' scholarship programme acknowledges the contribution of student leaders in the upliftment of the student community.

Read what the four have to say about leadership:

Handré Hay:

Handré Hay, a third-year BSc Physiotherapy student who holds several leadership positions on our Bloemfontein Campus, served for two consecutive years on the committee of Armentum residence. He was also a member of the executive council in the Students' Representative Council (SRC) and served in two SRC portfolios. "Leadership is about being able to serve. When people see that you are willing to put other people's interests above your own and that you are willing to serve unselfishly, despite a position of authority, you will get far," said Handré.

Estine Cronje:

Estine Cronje is the current prime of Marjolein residence. This was the second time the fifth-year Psychology student were re-elected to this position."Leadership is very important to me. One needs leaders in everything you do. I believe a leader should never think herself better than the rest and should work as hard as her team. She should command respect, be disciplined, an example to others, accessible and open to the opinions of other people.

Tsepang Lenka:

Tsepang Lenka is the SRC President of our Qwaqwa Campus. Tsepang, who was twice elected as prime of his residence, has already obtained his BA degree in Public and Business Management. He is currently working on his Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). "To me leadership means to serve. As a leader you don't lie to people when things are taking the wrong direction, you stand firm and tell the truth; in that way, people don't lose trust in you. The scholarship inspires me to work even harder," Tsepang said.

Jean Vermaas:

Jean Vermaas is a former SRC member who is currently studying for his LLB degree. Some of Jean's achievements include leadership positions of the Juridical Society and the Broad Students' Transformation Forum. In 2012 he was a founder member of the Student Elders' Council."Leadership is of extreme importance to me. It formed me into the person I am now. Leadership isn't always easy, but in the challenges you face you grow as a leader and as an individual."

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