There is starkly unequal access to quality education in Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown). Statistics show that middle-class black learners at fee-paying schools have a three out of four chance of exiting the system with a good-quality matric and entering a top university. By contrast, learners at "non-fee' schools have less than one in ten chance of reaching this level

The underlying problem is dysfunctional schooling in Makhanda. This has a range of consequences that condemn the learners to lives with few opportunities and prospects. These include dropping out before reaching Grade 12, failing Grade 12 or obtaining a weak National Senior Certificate (NSC). Youths who find themselves in these situations invariably join the ranks of the unemployed.

 

The University's investment in the local Grahamstown community manifests in strategic initiatives that are conceptualised and implemented in collaborative partnerships. Pathways is a project to enhance the capacity of the historically disadvantaged schools in the city. Grahamstown's oldest community organisation and reputed educations NGO GADRA and the newly formed multi-stakeholder Makhanda Circle of Unity are two civic bodies that are at the forefront of the strategy to facilitate shared growth and development in our town. Their strategies cover two broad areas:

1. Providing second chances to underprivileged senior grades learners in the townships. The project leverages the capacity of our formidable Community Engagement programme through mentorship,
2. Strengthening a wide civil society cooperation for open, transparent and accountable governance of the city.

Objective

Transform our community’s public schooling system

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