Engen Maths and Science Awards Ceremony applauds top learners. The Engen Maths and Science Schools (EMSS) programme announced a record breaking 96.7% pass rate of which 72% achieved bachelor passes.  This despite learners being hit with over 200 days of power cuts and being the hardest hit by the pandemic when it broke in their Grade 10 year.  Engen held an awards ceremony on the 18^th February, 2023 at Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) to honour Grade 10-12 learners and name the top Engen Maths and Science School (EMSS) achievers in the Western Cape.

 Engen’s manager of Transformation and Stakeholder Engagement, Dr James Nyawera explains that the EMSS programme focuses specifically on providing extra tuition in “gateway” subjects such as mathematics and science; subjects which are considered critical in addressing the country’s technical and engineering skills shortage as well as spurring economic growth and development.  “While Engen is extremely proud of all the 2022 matriculants, I must make special mention of, and commend the incredible results attained by some of our top achievers from our Manzomthombo EMSS Centre,” says Nyawera.

Shooting out the lights, Nando Popo an alumnus of Mfuleni School attained 7 distinctions and not only took first place at the Manzomthombo EMSS Centre but was the top-national achiever.  Nando’s hard work resulted in a Maths mark of 97%, 92% for science and 87% for English. She is studying medicine at the University of Cape Town this year. In second place was Inam Mkoko an alumnis of Mfuleni High who is currently studying Chemical Engineering at the University of Cape Town. In third place wasMfuleni resident, Mihle Mdibaniso who bagged a full house with 7 distinctions for matric which secured her a coveted place to study Human Anatomy and Physiology at the University of Cape Town this year.

Top-EMSS-Manzomthombo matriculants Mihle Mdibaniso in third place with Nande-Popo who also took first place nationally and Inam-Mkoko who took second place.

Other top learners at the EMSS Manzomthombo Centre was Belhair resident Chumisa Blom who scooped 6 distinctions and is studying Physiotherapy at the University of the Western Cape. Delft resident and a Masibambisane High School alumnus Nthati Rabohome who achieved 5 distinctions has secured a spot to study occupational therapy at Stellenbosch University.

 Nyawera explains that the EMSS programme focuses specifically on providing extra tuition in “gateway” subjects such as mathematics and science. “These subjects are considered critical in addressing the country’s technical and engineering skills shortage as well as spurring economic growth and development,” says Nyawera. “The EMSS programme seeks to harness the potential of talented young people in difficult circumstances and to also contribute to the pool of scarce skills in the country,” he adds.

The EMSS programme’s crucial role and relevance was highlighted after recent statistics from the Department of Basic Education (DBE) indicated that more learners are opting to write maths literacy, which increased by 108 642 learners between 2020 and 2022 compared to pure maths, which only increased by 36 419 learners over that time.  Pupils who passed pure maths also dipped from 57.6% in 2021 to 55% in 2022. Engen will host a series of awards ceremonies in February at the various EMSS centres across South Africa where the programme’s Grade 10-12 learners will be honoured, and the top achievers named.

 These centres include Cape Town (classes are held at Belgravia and Manzombotho High), Port Elizabeth, East London, Cala and Johannesburg, and in KwaZulu-Natal where classes sit at Fairvale High School, Ganges High School, Hillview High School and Umlazi Commercial High School. “Starting off in the late 1980’s as Engen Saturday Schools, EMSS remains central to Engen’s efforts to contribute to the growth and transformation of South Africa,” continues Nyawera. “The programme has worked tirelessly to help transform young underprivileged people’s lives, with a focus of creating a diverse and vibrant workforce.” Engen is incredibly proud of all EMSS learners who completed matric in 2022, often despite extremely trying circumstances. #Engencares