Today celebrates the NGOs who keep the lights on after school for South Africa’s learners. With exams kicking off nationwide this week, the pressure is on and learners need all the help they can get. This is where after-school programmes play such an important role.
They step in to support learners not just academically but mentally and emotionally as well. Moreover, research has shown that learners involved in NGO after-school programmes like Lights On achieve matric pass rates of 85% or higher. In under-resourced schools, this is well above the national average.
LIGHTS ON AFTER SCHOOL
Today is the sixth annual Lights On After School day, but the campaign is celebrated globally for the entire month of October. It’s about changing the odds for the youth and providing better opportunities for employment. Less than half of learners reach and pass Grade 12 in South Africa. Sadly, Youth unemployment hovers at a crippling 45% in South Africa.
As such, NGOs serve learners in quintile one to three schools (low to no-fee paying schools). These community-based initiatives provide academic tutoring and psychosocial support to help close the gap in unequal learning. No wonder they’re called the ‘hidden teachers’ of the education system.
“When learners feel someone genuinely cares about their success, attendance improves and the likelihood of dropping out decreases significantly. Mentors with Lights On are often the missing link between what is taught in school and what’s needed to navigate the real world,” says Charlene Peterson Voss, Executive Director of The Learning Trust.
BUILDING SAFER COMMUNITIES
Moreover, Western Cape Premier Alan Winde officially launched the Lights On campaign earlier this month. He says such after-school programmes build safer communities and create brighter futures. “From the time a child enters the education system, our job is to give them the best possible chance at success. Keeping the lights on after school uplifts these families and their communities,” says Winde.
And the proof is in the pudding. A study by the National Mentorship Movement found that after just one year, unemployment among mentees dropped from 73% to 19%, with 70% securing jobs in their chosen field. These results highlight mentorship as a powerful intervention in tackling South Africa’s myriad social issues.
To learn more about Lights On After School and how you can support mentorship programmes in your community, visit www.thelearningtrust.org or email info@thelearningtrust.org.
