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The REACH Project is a support programme for schools in deep rural areas as well as those where Implats operates. 17 schools from the Bojanala Region have been identified and selected by the project, with the aim of assisting learners from grade 10, 11 and 12 with knowledge to join Implats’ post-matric programme.

The project reaches out to students who show an interest in mathematics and science subjects and want to further their studies in this field.

The project consists of three components:

• an enrichment programme, which considers the specific needs and varying forms of support required by the programme’s 15 different learners,
• in-service teaching; and
• resources and learning material.

In the current financial year, five schools were selected to receive intense support. This consists of learning material donated by Fields College and school uniforms for disadvantaged children. The roll-out will start in July 2008.

“It is fulfilling to see the rural communities being involved in the school. The parents who never got the chance to go to school have so much passion for their children to get an education,” says Piet Human, Project Manager.

Another component that will be added to the project is the EQUIP programme which will improve teaching and learning at disadvantaged schools in the North West Province. The focus of the EQUIP programme is on effective governance, quality management and strategic planning with a view to enable schools to take responsibility for their own development and ensure the quality of teaching and learning in their classrooms.

EQUIP ultimately aims to improve the participating schools’ functionality and effectiveness. A study, school audit and situational analysis was conducted for each of the schools selected from Implats’ labour-sending areas in the North West Province to:

• determine the infrastructural conditions and the governance and management practices in the schools;
• measure the impact of the programme on the selected schools; and
• provide information on the strengths and requirements of the individual schools.

“As a service provider, our stakeholders (Implats and the Department of Education and Schools) give us a scope and we listen to their needs. We then work to find a solution beneficial to all parties involved,” continues Piet.

“At Implats, we would like to see the communities in which we operate become self-sustaining. Providing education to them is a long-term solution that will leave a mark long after the respective mines have ceased to operate,” said Tina Malau, Impala Social Development Manager.

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