The Department of Co-operative Education, International Centre for Nonviolence (ICON)  and the Durban University of Technology (DUT) Advancement and Alumni Relations hosted the School Engagement Project Graduation at the Sastri College Conference last Wednesday, 10 October 2019.

Berenice De La Croix, the Project Manager for the School Engagement Project said, the School Engagement Project is one of the biggest project’s that has various pillars; and the objective of this project is to develop learners into leaders, which will benefit the higher education sector and the broader South African society. “We would like to support schools to achieve their vision of developing the youth in every viable way as innovators, leaders and as people who are going to create a better future in this country. One of the pillars for this project is to focus on gateway subjects where our students will tutor learners in Mathematics, Physical Science, Accounting and English,” she said.

This project involves four different schools which are Hunt Road Secondary School, Overport Secondary School, Wiggins Secondary School and Sastri College. The policy for the School Engagement project is firstly a tutoring programme that usually takes place at schools in the afternoons. DUT has committed tutors from all the different faculties to conduct tutorial sessions. They give a lot of their passion and expertise where they help learners to plan their next steps based on what they would like to study.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement Professor Sibusiso Moyo, who was at the event, said she would like to thank everyone who ensured that this project is a success, not forgetting Berenice De la Croix, who is very passionate about this project in helping learners to broaden their skills.

Sastri College pupil Hamza Babar said that the project has been an amazing journey because it gave her a chance to work in a team and achieve all her goals she had regardless of all the challenges she had went through.

During this project, which started in August 2018, the pupils were given a chance to create an innovative way which will help them develop skills, become leaders and improve their communities in making them a better place. Pupils from all schools presented their work they had done in changing their communities during the event. Certificates were also awarded to all the pupils for their hard work and dedication in trying to change the world.

Director: Advancement and Alumni Relations Mr Zwakele Ngubane, said this project would have not been a success if it was not for DUT’s Co-operative Education Department, DUT Corporate Affairs, ICON and the DUT Advancement and Alumni Relations, who have all put in hard work in ensuring that this project is accomplished.

Pictured: Hunt Road Secondary students performing on stage during the Schools engagement project graduation.

Sanele Xaba