While in Germany, containers are used as a short-term but unpopular solution for increased student numbers or during reconstruction, in other regions of the world, these ‘mobile classrooms’ are the only way to provide additional learning space relatively quickly and easily. With the help of donations, Sawabona Africa and PYMA have put a new container classroom into use, complete with equipment. For the people of Soweto, the largest township in South Africa, the “new building” is of great significance: Just in time for the last term and the final exams, it offers the children supported by PYMA more space to prepare. In addition, 50 girls and boys can now enrol for the 2024 school year. The number of tutors, who are graduates of the programme or students at the University of Johannesburg and receive a paid stipend for tutoring, will also increase.

No education without after-school programmes

In South Africa today, almost every girl and boy is enrolled in school. But one in two children drops out before Grade 12 without completing their education. Literacy and numeracy levels are appallingly low by international standards due to catastrophic learning conditions: Overcrowded classrooms, lack of materials and poorly qualified teachers are common in public institutions. In addition, many children come from homes where they receive no educational support.

Against this background, it is unrealistic to expect that good education can be achieved through public schools alone. After School Programmes (ASPs) fill the gap by supplementing public school education with academic and psychosocial support, and by providing a safe place for children to learn and play. The Phakamani Young Minds Academy (PYMA) targets disadvantaged children in Soweto, South Africa. In addition to state education, girls and boys of all grades receive tutoring with a focus on literacy and numeracy, homework help and mentorship. Parallel support for parents also plays an important role in promoting the children’s success at school.

“The new classroom will enhance the future of the students in our after-school programme. It will unlock their knowledge and dreams. And we can continue to increase the number of children who benefit,” says Mthandazo Khumalo, Executive Director of PYMA. “We look forward to the wondrous journey this classroom will enable us to take. We are very grateful to Sawabona Africa for their support”.

“Seeing children excited about learning and seizing their opportunities has fascinated us. An investment in the ASP sector is an investment in the future, in order to eliminate inequalities and promote social justice,” adds Zilla Stekhoven, founder of Sawabona Africa e.V. A South African-educated lawyer, she has worked internationally in many fields, including as a director at adidas in Germany, before founding Sawabona Africa in 2021. “Two years ago we financed a classroom for PYMA with donations. But it quickly became too small, and the new container has given us more space. But we haven’t reached our goal yet – we are already raising funds for another classroom to give all the children on the waiting list a good education.”