CORPORATE SOCIAL INVESTMENT (CSI) INITIATIVES

Africa Check* has highlighted that the matric pass rate is not a reliable benchmark of education quality in South Africa. One of the problems it obscures is the high dropout rate in the South African schooling system. South Africa’s education system is in a state of “crisis”. The World Economic Forum claims that the country is at the bottom of the class for the quality of its maths and science education and there are concerns about high drop-out rates in schools with nearly half of all school pupils dropping out long before they can reach their matric year. The drop out can be attributed to economic, social and academic reasons. The dropout rate has had a significant impact. A 2011 report from Basic Education revealed that “60% of youths are left with no qualification at all beyond the Grade 9 level”

The latest numbers from the Department of Basic Education, 9 January 2018, show that 12% of all pupils were repeating a grade in 2015. The department has suggested that this is due to the “inability of many schools to get teaching and learning right and the burden of home background disadvantage”.

The power of education is undeniable across the world, both socially and personally, in both developing and developed countries. It is with this in mind that V-Tech launched the “V-Tech Foundation” to improve or enhance the educational opportunities for our own employees and their children.

SURVIVE AND THRIVE

“The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you” – B.B King

Education is the key to alleviating global poverty, helping individuals uplift themselves and their families and achieving sustained community transformation.

V-TECH BELIEVES

That the path out of poverty begins with access to a decent education. The V-Tech Foundation will ensure that especially those with the fewest resources—can access the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life.

V-Tech understands the importance of education and the Foundation is about helping low-income families to get the same opportunities as everyone else.  

THE V-TECH FOUNDATION

Only employees earning below a certain income level may benefit from the subsidy awarded by the V-Tech Foundation. The beneficiaries must be direct family of the employee and certain criteria must be met to qualify. The subsidy is reviewed on an annual basis based on the individual submissions and motivations and the progress of the beneficiaries. Funds are paid directly to the institution.

“We have made education the focus of the Foundation because it’s the key to a prosperous future, for both individuals and the country”, says Dr Johan Oosthuyse, V-Tech CEO. “We support early learning, secondary and tertiary institutions including school fees, stationary and books, uniforms and transport to and from school. With the high drop out rate due to many reasons, including economic, social and academic, it is imperative that we support our V-Tech family to help individuals to become agents of change in service to their peers, their families and their communities”. He goes on to say, “Our goal is for all our employee’s children to attend school, complete school and to do well. This will prepare them and equip them to pursue their dreams, making a better life for themselves and their families”.

The time for change is upon us and we all have a role to play to create and contribute to the country we believe in. I believe everyone has the capability to collaborate and join hands to bring about meaningful change – Cyril Ramaphosa