Our beneficiaries
Each year we offer academic support, skills development opportunities and resources to 300 Grade 9 – 12 learners from 18 high schools in the Kimberley area.
Our learners are expected to demonstrate hard work, commitment and determination on their journey towards self-development.
Afternoon classes
Learners attend 27 weeks of afternoon classes at the MSLA campus throughout the school year.
Classes run from 15:00 - 18:00.
The focus is on maths and science and also includes digital literacy for Grade 9 and MOS certification training for Grade 10.
Saturday classes
Learners attend 6 Saturday classes throughout the school year. Depending on the grade, these classes focus on maths and science, as well as IT skills training, global citizenship education or career guidance.
Holiday academies
Each grade is offered a 5-day academy at MSLA during one of the school holidays. Learners attend classes from 08:00 - 15:00 each day. The focus is on maths and science, as well as - depending on the grade - global citizenship education, social emotional learning or career guidance.
Other support
Through funding from our sponsors, MSLA is able to provide the learners with excellent teachers, stationery, study guides, refreshments and transport for those who need. Financial support is given to Grade 12 learners for their university application fees and NBT fees.
MSLA X-Factor
It is expected that ALL MSLA learners display the MSLA “X-FACTOR”:
- are totally committed
- hard-working
- achieve their best results
- have a growth mindset
- are self-driven and respectful
- display a "live to give" mindset
MSLA uses the maths problem-solving approach for the Grade 9 – 11 Saturday classes. Past Maths Olympiad question papers are accessible to the learners online. The learners work in groups to solve the problems, share their methods on the Smartboards and, at the end of the day, write an online test where the top learners win money prizes as incentives.
Preparing youth for the real world
The importance of maths problem-solving skills cannot be overstated. Developing these skills equips students with the ability to approach complex problems systematically and logically, enhancing their analytical thinking. This not only prepares them for academic success but also for real-world challenges, as they learn to break down problems into manageable parts, identify patterns, and devise effective solutions.
Fostering a growth mindset
Moreover, maths problem-solving fosters resilience and perseverance. Students learn that making mistakes is a part of the learning process, encouraging a growth mindset where effort and persistence are valued over immediate success. This attitude is crucial not just in mathematics, but in all areas of life where overcoming obstacles and continuous improvement are key to achieving goals.
Developing skills for the future
Additionally, problem-solving skills promote critical thinking and creativity. By exploring different methods to solve a problem, students develop the ability to think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions. This creative problem-solving ability is highly sought after in many fields, from engineering and technology to finance and the arts.
Using past Maths Olympiad papers, students are exposed to high-level problems that challenge their understanding and push the boundaries of their knowledge. This experience is invaluable as it prepares them, not only for future competitive exams, but it also instills confidence in their mathematical abilities and sets them up for success in both their academic and professional futures.
Addressing digital inequalities
MSLA has consolidated its efforts in preparing school-going youth for the future of work and societies. The use of technology is well integrated in the innovative learning experiences we offer that focus on addressing skills, attitudes and abilities, aligned to those of the World Economic Forum’s Education 4.0 framework.
Education 4.0 https://initiatives.weforum.org/reskilling-revolution/education-4-0
Education 4.0
- Education 4.0 reimagines education as an inclusive, lifelong experience that places the responsibility for skills-building on the learner, with teachers and mentors acting as facilitators and enablers.
- To create the environment required to foster Education 4.0, existing educational systems must be upgraded and invested in.
- Problem-solving, collaboration and adaptability are the three critical skills that Education 4.0 must impart to students.
Education 4.0: Here are 3 skills that students will need for the jobs of the future – Jan 2, 2023 https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/01/skillsets-cultivated-by-education-4-0-davos23/
The online approach
In keeping with the WEF’s Education 4.0 framework, MSLA introduced the Siyavula online maths and science platform for all Grade 9 – 12 learners and teachers in 2023.
MSLA learners are digitally literate: no hassles with the online way of learning.
Learners are very focused: before lesson time they start working on Siyavula immediately – no waiting for the teachers to arrive – taking full responsibility for their own skills-building!
Learners work at home on their cell phones: no data needed for all Vodacom, MTN and Telkom users and they work at their own pace.
Teachers act as facilitators. They can track each learner’s effort, mastery and problem areas. This data guides teachers to know when to step in and teach and what questions to focus on in assignments, which are quick and easy to compile using the Siyavula question bank.
Inspiring future scientists
The learners are exposed to hands-on and fun learning activities in science. The science content is aligned to the school curriculum for each grade.
Our impact
