CUT and Lejweleputswa Education District leaders from left-front row: Mr Z Dingaan, Ms Phehello Zonke, Lejweleputswa Education District Director, Ms M Ramosedi, Dr Joe Molete, Welkom Campus Principal, Ms M Maduke and Ms M Ramoolla.

Back row from left: Dr Bernard Sebake, Dean of Students, Mr L.V. Nhlapho, Deputy Chief Education Officer, Mr Nathi Ndawo, CUT Senior Director: Estates and Infrastructure, Prof. Mzikayise Binza, CUT Director: Academic Enterprise and Services and Mr C Rathebe, Lejweleputswa Circuit Manager.

The Central University of Technology (CUT) Welkom Campus brought together the Lejweleputswa Education District leaders, school principals, STEM educators and subject Advisors for Life Sciences to a Principals’ Breakfast on 07 March 2025, to engage on how both institutions can strengthen their collaboration and education partnership to enhance learners’ excellence and success in critical STEM subjects.

Dr Connie Mphojane, CUT Departmental Manager for Teacher Education, presenting on the Matric Improvement Programme overview.

One of the key highlights was the Matric Improvement Programme plan, presented by Dr Connie Mphojane, CUT Departmental Manager for Teacher Education.

Matric Improvement Programme is an intervention plan by the CUT Department of Education in partnership the Lejweleputswa Education District to assist high school learners to improve their performance in key subjects such as Mathematics, Science and Commercial subjects. The programme, which commenced in 2022, aims to bridge the gap between high school education and university requirements, ensuring that more matriculants meet the university requirements on pre-requisite subject.

The learner support initiative is conducted by the best senior BEd students on Saturdays, including school holidays, for grade 8 and 9 at different centres around Welkom.  “The reason for us to focus on these lower grades is to lay a solid foundation on the critical subjects that learners find challenging such as Natural Sciences, Mathematics, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, as well as the Commerce stream subjects.”

Dr Mphojane added that due to the high demand for learner assistance and limited resources, the university is working with the Department of Education to consider opening another centre at Edu-College and recruit unemployed graduates to assist, and at the same time, give them the industry exposure.

She highlighted that apart from the enhancement program, the university offers other services including laboratories for maths, science and computer science activities as well as professional counselling and motivational talks to learners facilitated by the CUT Wellness Centre.

Dr Joe Molete, CUT Welkom Campus Principal, emphasised the importance of sustainable education support and stronger collaboration between schools and higher education to bridge learning gaps and empower future leaders.

Dr Molete, Welkom Campus Principal, emphasised the need for long-term sustainability in supporting volunteering students. He proposed to turn tutoring initiatives into a non-profit company that can attract funding. “This will ensure continuous support for our tutors and volunteers and will also enable us to compensate them accordingly.” He added that tutors cannot be volunteers forever, “we need a structured model where they can receive a stipend, and our young learners can get meals when they come to extra classes."

He also highlighted the CUT vision for organisational renewal. “This includes improving leadership structures, strengthening collaborations with the Department of Education, and ensuring that students receive industry-relevant skills to improve their employability after graduation.”

Ms Phehello Zonke, Lejweleputswa District Education Director, said the Lejweleputswa and CUT collaboration will transform education and change the narrative.

Ms Phehello Zonke, Lejweleputswa District Education Director and guest speaker, said that she is excited about their long-standing partnership with CUT, citing the much-needed assistance in improving performance for the Lejweleputswa STEM learners, especially the ones identified to be at risk.

"This partnership has come at the right time for the better future of our district. It is a great transformative force in our education system, and will assist us to significantly change individuals' lives, perspectives and abilities, enabling them to become active agents of change within their communities and society. We need to transform education to change the narrative; we need to continuously encourage and nurture these young minds to unleash their potential,” she said.

Seated, front row: Welkom Campus Student Representative Council from left:  Tshepiso Zungu, Welkom Campus SRC President, Mpho Moloi, Student Affairs Officer, Kelebohile Tsomela, Transformation, Equity and Diversity Officer, Phiwokuhle Joyi, Public Relations Officer, Zizipho Zitha, Residence and Accommodation Officer and Moekeng Bankies, Academics and Quality Enhancement Officer.

Back row from left: Vusumuzi Khouta, SRC Finance Officer, Mr Nathi Ndawo, Senior Director: Estates and Infrastructure, Dr Bernard Sebake, Dean of Students, Dr Joe Molete, Welkom Campus Principal, Thomas Makoko, Deputy President, Thabang Macala, Sports and Reaction Officer and Teboho Tlhone, Constitution and Legal Affairs Officer.