FNB continues support of Edulution

Mariselle Stofberg



FNB, through the FirstRand Namibia Foundation, has again supported the Edulution programme with an amount of N$150 000 for the 2020/2021 year.

Revonia Kahivere, the corporate social investment manager, expressed her delight with the success of the programme which runs a foundational numeracy catch-up programme for primary school pupils from grades four to seven.

“Since the beginning of this programme in March 2019, the number of pupils has increased from 665 to 3 360 and even in 2020 despite the Covid-19 pandemic, four more centres were opened: Three in Rehoboth and one in Groot Aub. This shows dedication and we are proud of the achievements of these centres.”

Kahivere said at the heart of Edulution is the drive to turn learners from passive classroom occupants into confident, inspired participants driving their own learning journey.

“The foundation supported the Edulution programme with the hope to improve numeracy, literacy and ITC skills.”

Mike Clarke, the head of marketing and communications at Edulution, said the events of 2020 tested Edulution’s adaptability and resilience.

“The closure of schools in March 2020 meant that Edulution needed to find ways to adapt to the changing landscape. One way in which this was achieved was by running training programmes that ensured coaches would be more skilled in facilitating the programme when schools re-opened. The shutdown periods were also used to develop new products and tools,” he said.

“Despite the schools being closed for nearly half the year, at the end of December 2020, learners showed an annual average rate of improvement of 71% whilst 12% showed an annual rate of improvement of more than 100% in numeracy. We thank our local sponsors for their unwavering support during these unprecedent times - FNB through the FirstRand Foundation, the Pupkewitz Foundation and the Ohlthaver & List Group,” Clarke said.

“We know that education plays an important role in equalising individuals’ life chances, promoting economic mobility, advancing economic growth, creating employment, eradicating poverty and reducing inequality. Improving the quality of education requires further improvements in early childhood development, investment in school infrastructure and facilities, such as e-learning,” Kahivere further added.

Creating a solid foundation

Edulution’s mission is to ensure that learners enter high school with a solid foundation in mathematics so that they can choose science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects. This is achieved by providing opportunities to learners to master essential numeracy skills to become more self-directed and confident and, in turn, allow teachers to better deliver the curriculum.

Additional objectives of the programme are to reduce unemployment by providing jobs for young people to become coaches.

Kahivere also said knowledge and rigorous analytics can only come through the literary wealth of the world.

“Without investing in reading, how would we encourage new researchers or new Namibian authors? FNB through the FirstRand Namibia Foundation is committed to creating a better world, and what better way than to encourage a literary culture among Namibian children and youth, and as a result promote the production of Namibian juvenile literature?”

The programme operates centres at Hillside Primary, Namutoni Primary School, Augeikhas Primary School, Havana Primary School, Fidel Castro Primary School, Mandume Primary School, Moses van der Byl Primary School, Theo Katjimune Primary School, St Barnabas Primary School, JTL Beukes Primary School, Oanab Primary School, Vooruitsig Primary School and Groot Aub Primary School.