The Saturday School Programme is a professionally run educational intervention that engages with two hundred Grade 12 Cape Town based learners. These learners receive focused remedial teaching in Pure Mathematics, Physical Science, English, Life Science and Accounting. The programme takes successful applicants out of their communities and transports them to UCT for extra lessons. These same students also receive life skills interventions, career guidance workshops and are enriched by motivational speakers and other guest presenters. SHAWCO started the Saturday School Programme to give participating learners access to UCT resources and facilities not currently available at their present schools.
In 2010, the Saturday School team focussed on adding value to the participants’ tutoring experience by recruiting nine top performing educators within the Western Cape and implementing the use of the SHAWCO Saturday School workbooks to the programme. SHAWCO has been approached by various agencies looking for learners who are excelling in Science, Maths and Accounting for potential bursaries. Bursaries will not be guaranteed to learners, however if participants on the programme achieve academically, then these opportunities can be made available. The Career Development Unit at UCT has supported the programme by offering candidates workshops aimed at helping the learners make career and course decisions for their future studies Another exciting component of the programme is that participating learners are given the opportunity to conduct their Matric Chemistry and Life Science practical’s in UCT’s laboratories.
