When the Grade 9 and 10 students at Amaoti 3 Secondary School (A3) were left without a Mathematics teacher, hope for continuity in their education seemed bleak. With no intervention from the Department of Basic Education for months, the learners faced a growing academic gap in a subject critical to their future prospects.
But in a powerful example of community collaboration, Cox Yeats Attorneys stepped in to sponsor Maths Champion, Awonke Nondabula, a passionate and dynamic graduate teacher, whose presence has already made a significant difference.
Nicky Walton, Education Coordinator at The Domino Foundation, emphasised the severity of the situation. “The children were effectively abandoned by the official system when their previous teacher left and wasn’t replaced,” she said. “Section 29 of our constitution guarantees every child the right to a basic education, but these learners were left in limbo. It’s just such an injustice.”
Cox Yeats’ support didn’t stop at Maths. The law firm is also funding the school’s Literacy Champion, whose work has significantly improved students’ reading comprehension and writing skills in English.
Walton expressed heartfelt gratitude for Cox Yeats’ support, which sustained both champions through the end of Term 3. “We would love to sustain these positions long-term and are now appealing to other businesses who are passionate about education to join us in this critical mission.”
Awonke currently teaches 243 learners, and his enthusiasm has reignited the students’ interest in Mathematics. One Grade 10 student shared that he has opened the students’ minds when it comes to mathematics.
As for Awonke, the experience has been deeply fulfilling. He said: “I have loved my time at A3 and have really bonded with my students on this critical journey toward their Matric Maths exams in the years ahead.”
