Johannesburg, 14 Feb 2012
As part of its corporate social investment (CSI) strategy, a sponsorship by contact centre solutions provider, Ocular Technologies, allowed the entire 2011 Grade 12 class of Alexandra-based Realogile Secondary School to take part in a Nothando Training Whole Brain Learning initiative that assists students in learning practical study methods. As a result, the school's 2010 pass rate of 34,3 percent increased to 65,4 percent in 2011.
“The sponsorship was undertaken by Ocular as a step to help improve the current high failure rate within local schools and tertiary institutes. We are thus immensely proud of the learners and their results,” says Pommie Lutchman, CEO at Ocular Technologies.
“It is a very sad fact that approximately 60 percent of learners writing matric in South Africa every year fail. The 136 Grade 12 learners who made up the Realogile class of 2011 thus faced a huge challenge to exceed expectations for the end-of-year pass rate.”
Lutchman believes that Nothando Training's approach of teaching“Whole Brain Learning” brought a ray of hope to these scholars, by equipping them with more than just study methods that provided them with the necessary skills to succeed.
“The Ukufunda Study Methods Whole Brain Learning programme aims to increase students' self- efficacy, reinforcing the belief that they are capable of performing in a certain manner in order to achieve their goals and dreams. It not only allows them to develop improved memory, thinking, problem solving , reasoning and examination techniques but also a great reduductionin instudy time, indefinite retention of information and, ultimately, improved grades and a better way of life.
“One of the key elements to this studying process is the realisation of potential,” he adds.
Ocular sponsored Realogile Grade 12 learners to complete the three modules of the Ukufunda Study Methods course, in order to provide the best traction in terms of enhancing learners' abilities to deal with the Grade 12 final examinations.
Module 1 covers retaining information, addressing memory control, mnemonic systems, techniques to familiarise unknown information and data and the modification of old information in order to learn new information. Module 2 looked at practical methods for learning, such as improving textbook skills, extracting the relevant facts from information, using brain triggers or key words and effective summarising techniques. Module 3 helped with Exam Techniques teaching the learner to think both creatively and logically, giving clear guidelines on how to be a successful learner and pass exams. This module addressed, exam vocabulary, type of questions, diet, sleep, and handling exam anxiety.
During this intervention, the Realogile matriculants were split into four classes of an average of 34 students, and learners' results were tracked over the course of the year until the final-year exams.
“Ocular is more than just a benefactor to the students at Realogile,” states Lutchman. “Our intention is to establish a working relationship with this school over the next two to three years so that we may track the progress and results of the course itself, and be instrumental in changing these students' from Alexandra over the long term.”
“Ocular Technologies has made a breakthrough in investing in the long term future of the Grade 12 learners at Realogile Secondary School,” says James Jooste, master trainer & division manager at Nothando Training (Pty) Ltd. “This company believes in true empowerment of the youth of our country by equipping them with the relevant skills to succeed in their final exams and life as responsible adults. The investment that Ocular is making has reaped real rewards. For learners, a few percentage increase in grades could mean the difference between failing, or attaining a certificate, diploma or even a bachelor pass either outcome would be life changing.”
Lutchman stresses that Ocular is committed to the initiative and believes that a pass rate of 80 percent at Realogile Secondary School is achievable in the near future.
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