Polokwane Rural Schools Development

The Polokwane schools visit project was formed by Mr Samson Mapheto (Lecturer in the Department of  Management Accounting ) with the aim of providing grade 11 and 12 learners with extra accounting classes and career guidance. The project started in 2011 after an oral agreement was reached between Samson (himself a former learner of the Dikobe Molaba secondary school), two schools principals and commerce teachers in the schools.

As per the agreement it was arranged that during every September school holiday, Samson would visit the schools to provide extra classes to grade 11 and 12 pupils. The 2012 schools visit was particularly helpful because three additional academics (Mr Andile Nobatyi, Mr Stanley Sithole and Mr Rendane Nzhinga), from the Department of Management Accounting, joined the project. They visited the Dikobe Molaba and Ngwana Mohube secondary schools. Students were given the opportunity to ask questions about applying at higher educational institutions, bursaries and study fees.

Another objective of the initiative is to improve the pass rate of students by addressing accounting topics that are seen to be problematic for pupils and to support the worldwide one goal “education for all”.

During 2014 there will be two separate visits to the schools, in April and October. The project currently involves seven academics including the Chair of the Department of Management Accounting, Mr Andile Nobatyi. Thefirst visit in April 2014 managed to reach 152 accounting learners and five of their teachers.

During his speech, Mr  Nobatyi advised students to choose to study pure maths instead of maths literacy in order to prepare their minds to be future Chartered Accountants and Management Accountants. Mr Samson Mapheto also emphasised the importance of being familiar with technology.