Let's Keep Learning
Over the years, Masicorp’s aim has always been to provide education to the community of Masiphumelele. The times we currently find ourselves in have made it challenging to continue meeting that need as we have had to temporarily close or adapt our programmes to protect our beneficiaries during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Over the past few months, our programme teams quickly responded to these difficult circumstances and are now providing ‘’Let’s Keep Learning’’ packs of worksheets or data vouchers to children so they may continue to benefit from our education programmes. We will continue pushing to make sure that learning continues while also protecting our beneficiaries during the COVID-19 pandemic. Safe collections of workpacks with strict hygiene procedures have taken place and we have already started putting measures in place that will protect our staff and trainees when our programmes allowed to re-open.
Since March. We have been keeping learning going for the 300 ECD children who attend Masi Educare and Chasmay Educare. Included in their monthly hygiene and feeding packs have been worksheets, crayons and books which were donated by BookDash. These learning packs have been instrumental in ensuring learning continues during a time when all schools were closed.
42 children from Fish Hoek Primary who attend our English…Please! English support programmes at Fish Hoek and Simons Town Primary Schools have been receiving weekly workpacks, which are being regularly returned for marking. These packs, which contain a treat and fun activities, have helped the children continue learning at home.
Responding to a need for assistance from Fish Hoek Primary School, Masicorp also supported 27 Masi learners between Grades R-7 from Fish Hoek Primary School by distributing work packs to the students which covered all aspects of the curriculum.
Many had not received any schoolwork during the lockdown, while schools were closed, and do not have access to online learning platforms or devices from which to work.
Masicorp assisted 26 learners from Fish Hoek High School, and another 12 Grade 12 students from Masi & Ocean View High Schools with mobile data for online school and study.
High Schoolers from Grades 11 & 12 at Masi High School now have access to our COVID-compliant ICDL centre so they can receive support in their studies, as well as have a safe and secure online environment from which to work in small safe, and socially distant groups.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, one of our most affected programmes has been our ICDL (International Computer Driving Licence) course, which was put on hold only a few weeks after our new ICDL centre on the grounds of Chasmay Campus was opened. This 6 month-long advanced computer course is internationally accredited and opens up opportunities for employment for the learners, which made it devastating when we had to halt all learning.
Our ICDL training team have recently taken the approach of online learning to make sure trainees are able to continue their modules during the lockdown. This innovative move to digital platforms is another way in which Masicorp is trying to continue to support our students by providing education despite these unique circumstances we are all facing.
15 ICDL (International Computer Drivers License) trainees received textbooks and mobile data, and receive regular training videos that were captured using Zoom recording. Students return the assignments and revision tests via email. Assistance is provided via Zoom or Whatsapp
Safe collections of ICDL textbooks with strict hygiene procedures have taken place and we have already started putting measures in place that will protect our staff and trainees when our training centre is allowed to re-open.