At Synercore, we are passionate in our belief that our children will define the future. They will be our leaders, change-makers and innovators. In the interest of our future, it is vital to invest in their education now, while they are still young and eager to learn.
With this belief, we are putting our value-driven culture into practice by committing R50,000 every year for the next three years to Project Jika. The project aims to give practical application to former president Nelson Mandela’s words: “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.”
Project Jika and The Answer Series
Jika, meaning “change” or a “turn around for good,” is an exciting initiative that works with schools to provide The Answer Series study guides to learners across all grades in sixteen subjects in South Africa.
The founders of Jika believe that this project will benefit underperforming schools and raise them to more competitive academic levels. Involving the school in implementing this initiative secures its buy-in and ensures that the study guides have as significant an impact as possible. Increased learners’ success will have a lasting impact on schools, communities, and our country.
Project Jika is a scalable Corporate Social Investment (CSI) project with importantly measurable and impactful results. It offers an open invitation for organisations to make an investment or take part in any aspect of the project. A Section 18A certificate can be provided and together with the outcomes of increased knowledge and pass rates of students this has a higher return on investment than most core company projects.
Synercore Committed to Project Jika
Synercore accepted this invitation and have sponsored 1,305 Grade 12 The Answer Series study guides (available in Afrikaans and English) to New Orleans Secondary School in Paarl as part of our three-year commitment.
Every study guide that Synercore sponsor is discounted by 15%, and in addition Project Jika further gives schools an additional guide for each one that Synercore sponsor. Through this initiative and the contribution of Project Jika, it ensures that every rand invested unlocks real, tangible value for the learners.
Project Jika aims to change the lives of many children, reducing school dropout levels and improving the outcome for those going through our educational system.
“Businesses often donate to CSI as an obligation and not as a plan. Project Jika is a program you can integrate in long term strategy to meet the nations call for upliftment. It is not just a donation, it is an investment with real data backing the results and with a high return to students, our businesses, and inevitably the future of our nation,” added Synercore CEO, Tertius Cilliers.
The Schooling Revolution
Even before COVID-19 forced learners home, about 40% of students starting in Grade One left before matric. In fact, only one in four learners leave with a matric certificate. By supporting Project Jika and funding The Answer Series, Synercore aims to be a part of the schooling revolution.
“We’ve already seen massively positive outcomes stemming from these interventions: matric pass rates at schools with access to The Answer Series have skyrocketed. In one school, the rate hit 99% in year two of the intervention, while another went from 19% in the first year to 84% in the third project year,” enthused Darryl Clayton, Chairman, The Answer Series.
The study guide intervention is the gift that keeps giving because it can raise the baseline performance levels for years after, as seen at Dikwena. Reuben Ntuli, in the Eastern Cape, also had indirect benefits that we believe can be replicated. Not only was it the most improved school in the province, taking first place for English, but its success attracted learners from over the hills and far away doubling the numbers. We believe the overall outcome is largely attributable to Project Jika.
Even a teacher shortage is not an insurmountable problem, with one school seeing grades increase despite not having a qualified mathematics or physical science educator.
Several companies have already partnered with Project Jika, including Engen, Italtile and the University of the Western Cape, BTE renewables, KZN Department of Education, and EC Department of Education, to name but a few. Each of these companies has made the commitment and is making a difference.
Your business can also be the change you want to see by joining this rewarding initiative. After all, you will be investing in learners who may very well be part of your company’s workforce one day.
If you wish to invest in Project Jika and the future of South Africa, please contact Dave Eadie at dave@theanswerseries.co.za or 084 222 1210.