Communities in the rural Vhembe and Capricorn districts situated in the far northern Limpopo province in South Africa experience high levels of unemployment and are faced with the same challenges experienced by many rural communities in the country.    

For this reason, Worley, which is assisting De Beers to develop an underground mining operation at its Venetia diamond mine situated 80 km east of Musina, has committed to support the launch of the Billion Child Foundation SA Education Districts Centre of Excellence Programme. This Programme has the technology, track-record and cost-effective pricing model to empower school principals to sustainably reinvent their schools to become centres of excellence and develop a high-performance culture.

President Ramaphosa has repeatedly stated that the reinvention of every public school as a centre of excellence is a national priority. This project also supports Operation Khawuleza announced by the President to address public services delivery district by district.

Johan Swart, Commercial Manager at Worley responsible for engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) development of the Venetia Underground Project said, “We anticipate that these schools will achieve academic outcomes similar to those achieved by schools in the rural districts of the Eastern and Northern Cape Provinces. The percentage of these learners gaining a Bachelor and Diploma matriculation pass had increased by 41% within three years of principals attending the SA Education Districts Centre of Excellence Programme.

“Worley previously invested in the Billion Child Foundation SA Education Districts Centre of Excellence Programme at schools situated near Kathu in the Northern Cape, and we were delighted to see that within three years the percentage of learners passing maths and English in Grade 7 increased from 39% to 65%, and from 54% to 87% respectively.

“During this time there was apparently no specific training offered to either mathematics or English teachers. This programme provided evidence that when the principal provides enlightened leadership holding teachers accountable while simultaneously recognising the contribution of each teacher, teachers prepare and deliver lessons with increased passion, and academic outcomes soar.

“In addition, principals introduced a range of activities at each school to engage learners, parents and the entire community around each school to support its journey towards becoming a centre of excellence.

“We are highly appreciative of the enthusiastic reception of this programme by district officials of the Limpopo Department of Education,” said Swart.

Worley and De Beers value the surrounding community and believe this culture change programme led by circuit managers in each of the districts will sustainably empower principals to reinvent their schools to become centres of excellence, thereby providing every learner with the opportunity to fulfil their potential.

The Billion Child Foundation SA Education Districts Centre of Excellence Programme is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the South African National Development Plan (NDP).  The Billion Child Foundation is a UK/South African-based non-profit organisation launched in 2011 to address the dire state of global and national education and lack of opportunities for children. The Billion Child Foundation provides mass training programmes to ensure that children—particularly those within disadvantaged circumstances--receive access to an excellent education and committed informed parental support, so that they can obtain a tertiary education, take up an apprenticeship and gain meaningful employment.