2022 Sasol Sustainability Report - Book - Page 34
SUSTAINABILITY PERFORMANCE AGAINST OUR FOCUS AREAS
INTRODUCTION
DATA AND ASSURANCE
GROWING SHARED VALUE (CONTINUED)
Access to quality education
Quality education is an enabler and has a potentially equalising effect in
achieving sustainable livelihoods, and it is the most powerful vehicle for upward
socio-economic mobility for every individual.
Early childhood education and development
SOUTH AFRICA
OUR APPROACH
OUR
We
areAPPROACH
driving excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education
by taking a bottom-up approach. We do so by developing systemic interventions to improve STEM
teaching and learning outcomes to prepare learners for the future world of work. Our interventions
are therefore focused on teachers, learners, learning resources, career guidance and infrastructure
improvement programmes.
• We supported over 180 early childhood
development (ECD) centres in the communities
in which we operate, seeking to improve the
quality of programmes for school readiness.
• We trained and provided on-site support to
over 223 practitioners;
• 94 practitioners were given onsite support
through the Osizweni Secunda and Ekandustria
toy library visits.
• 44 ECD managers were trained on ECD
management to upskill their management
capacity.
WHAT WE ARE DOING
Our interventions focus on improving education outcomes in STEM, which contributes to
global competitiveness, innovation and social development. Our interventions start from
early childhood development (which prepares learners with a strong foundation for learning)
until employment and/or entrepreneurship (which ensures the students are work-ready and
able to contribute meaningfully to society). Our key programmes and interventions include:
• 85 practitioners are receiving an accredited
course, the national qualification framework
level 4 and 5 which will ensure that the
practitioners are adequately qualified and
confident to facilitate in a classroom.
• Through the establishment of food gardens
and provision of breakfast, approximately
4 552 children at the centres that we support
have access to at least one nutritious meal a day.
• All centres in Secunda and Ekandustria can
subscribe and access our toy library. More than
1 800 children benefit from these facilities.
• We supplied both indoor and outdoor learning
resources for children to ensure that they are
sufficiently stimulated and that all faculties
are appropriately developed.
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT
Tertiary education
To contribute to developing a strong foundation
for learning to ensure school readiness and holistic
development of children.
To increase access to tertiary education and
enhance research and development to benefit
our country and fenceline communities.
Supporting the Department of Education
to improve STEM in schools
We invest in tertiary education to help
individuals build the skills that will enable them
to participate in the economy, contribute to
social development and allow them to be
responsible self-reliant citizens. We also
support institutions with research and capacity
building to advance innovation and improve
South Africa’s global competitiveness in
scientific research.
Supporting learning institutions to improve
outcomes from educational initiatives.
Technical education development
To support the development of technical and
vocational skills to address the shortage of
critical skills in South Africa.
We raise awareness about technical vocational
education in schools and TVET colleges and its
contribution to the economy. We build capacity
in these institutions and develop engineeringrelated skills in the sector.
Provide our beneficiaries with access
to psychosocial support
To mitigate psychological and social challenges
that hinder academic success of the learners
we support.
Every child deserves the best start in life. Our support for early childhood
development and education seeks to maximise the window of opportunity
offered by early moments of a child’s life to shape the brain. Over 9 000
children benefit from interventions implemented in over 180 ECD centres in
the communities closest to our operations in four provinces.
Our partnership with the Rotary Club in Sasolburg offers training and onsite support
focusing on cognitive development and nutrition. In this intervention Sasol provides the
centres with learning resources that are used to stimulate the brain and improve executive
function. Dr Angela Van Pletzen trains the practitioners on the use of the resources.
Practitioners are encouraged to use play when teaching because children learn best through
play. Practitioners are also assisted to plan activities that build skills that allow children to
think, communicate, solve problems, express emotion and form healthy relationships.
These skills ensure that children are well prepared for school and thrive. However, children
will not thrive if their health is compromised. Our intervention also includes food gardens
to ensure that children have nutritious meals daily at the centres. Children participate
in the establishment and maintenance of the gardens. Overall, our ECD centres are assisted
to create positive learning experiences and recognise all children as individuals whose
capabilities can be nurtured to help them reach their full potential.
SASOL SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2022
33
CASE STUDIES
Early childhood education