09 March 2021

The ITHALA EDU Platform helped countless Grade 12 students during COVID-19

Submitted by: Thembekile
The ITHALA EDU Platform helped countless Grade 12 students during COVID-19

While the COVID-19 pandemic played havoc with the school calendar most of last year, causing learners to lose out on classroom time, Ithala stepped into the fray and offered catch-up lessons.

The closing of schools meant that many matriculants in South Africa lost a substantial part of the academic year. Ithala SOC Limited, a financial services provider, introduced the Ithala Edu Platform which provided curriculum content and learner support to assist Grade 12 learners make up for lost schooling time and to prepare them for their final exams. With the release of matric results, many students have reported their grades have improved considerably because of the learning support.

The Ithala Edu Platform has enabled many students from underprivileged backgrounds to benefit from programmes focusing on the Caps Curriculum, Soft Skills and Career Guidance. “We are deeply concerned about the well-being of ordinary South Africans and continue to help communities who lack the means to improve their lives, especially in these difficult times of the pandemic,” said Dr Thulani Vilakazi, CEO of Ithala SOC Limited.

The children of today are the leaders of tomorrow. Therefore, we helped to ensure that some kind of schooling continued while classrooms were under lockdown,” he said. Ithala launched the Ithala Edu Platform in June 2019 and focused on subjects such as IsiZulu, English, Accounting, Mathematics, Geography, Physical science an Applied Computer Technologies. A total of 578,468 full-time applicants wrote the 2020 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations. The overall success rate for the 2020 matric examinations decreased by 5.1 percentage points from 81.3% in 2019.

While there has been a decline in the success rate, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of learners who have obtained the NSC. Ntombifikile Mfihle from Enaleni High School in Umlazi, south-west of Durban, said: “The lockdown disrupted our schooling and affected many students who could not access classes online. “I am very thankful that Ithala helped me through this challenging time of the pandemic.

“I had a lot of relief during my final year of school with the Ithala Edu Platform which helped me focus on my favourite subjects such as physical science, IsiZulu and English.” Mfihle attained a Bachelor’s Degree matric pass and plans to study chemical engineering or biochemistry. A Grade 12 learner from Phakamani Secondary School in Benoni, Gauteng, Siyabonga Dlamini, said: “I enjoyed using the Ithala Edu Platform as it helped me to concentrate and to better understand subjects.

“The Ithala Edu platform also helped me study online, which was new for me.” The 19-year-old enjoyed tutorials in accounting, economics and mathematics. Dlamini plans to study BCom Accounting at the University of Pretoria this year. Durban Girls High School grade 12 learner, Sbahle Welile Khumalo, said: “Ithala Edu's platform exposed her to many tutorials such as mathematical literacy and life sciences that helped her prepare for the year-end exams.

“I felt comfortable since teachers were readily available to assist us online and even share previous exam materials.” 19-year-old Umlazi scholar thanks Ithala for providing this platform to thousands of students and hopes that it will be offered to offer students at this difficult time. Since grade 11, Sbahle's time has been dedicated to community service at places such as the Ntuzuma Clinic, Lindelani Clinic, Kwamashu Polyclinic, St John’s Church in Durban and KwaMashu Christian Care Society. “I plan to study nursing at the Gandhi Mandela Nursing Academy in Durban because I have a passion to help others and making a positive difference in someone else's life.”

Sbahle obtained a Diploma pass with a distinction in isiZulu. Sindiswa Khanyile, a grade 12 learner from Khamangwa High School in Inanda, north-west of Durban, said: “The Ithala Edu Platform was most helpful during the challenging time of the pandemic and final year of studies.“The lockdown made our studies difficult because we missed a lot of learning sessions, but many students were able to push and still give their best efforts.

”Khanyile applauds Ithala for this amazing opportunity by helping many students from various schools. The 18-year-old attained a Bachelor’s Degree pass with distinctions in Business Studies and Life Orientation. She will study for a Bachelor of Education Degree this year.Katlehong High School grade 12 learner, Yolanda Nkhambule, said: “I would recommend the Ithala Edu Platform as it assisted me in learning a great deal in many of the subjects such as physical science, mathematics, life science and isiZulu.“Thank you to Ithala for giving thousands of students this opportunity to help get through our final year of studies.”Nkhamule plans to study Electrical Engineering this year.

Ithala SOC Limited is the only state-owned entity that provides full banking services; is already fully regulated by the South African Reserve Bank and other banking industry regulators; and is fully committed to ensuring compliance with all applicable regulations.A current distribution network of 38 branches in KZN provides convenient transacting facilities. Ithala offers a comprehensive portfolio of corporate and personal banking solutions.

The platform and lessons are accessible on http://youtube.com/c/.GoDigitalSAFounation

For more information visit www.myithala.co.za, call 031 366 2500.

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Issued by:
Ithala SOC Limited Head Office
303 Dr Pixley KaSeme (West Street)
15th Floor Delta Towers
Durban