“Education is one thing no one can take away from you.”

“Education is one thing no one can take away from you.”

Bursary Fund

In Sedgefield, we find a divide between sophisticated urban settlements and the formal and informal settlements in which the majority of the population are located with limited infrastructure, services and employment opportunities. 


There is no government provided high school in the area. Furthermore, there is no public transport system to the nearest high schools in neighbouring towns Knysna and George. 

In addition, government subsidies are not provided for transport costs as the schools have hostels and the children are expected to live in the hostels during the week. The transport required to return home for weekends is still a financial burden. Weekly transport can cost between R3600 to R6000 per annum.

Neither the Community nor Masithandane wishes to promote children having to go to some of the hostels for the following reasons:


  • Lack of supervision and lack of feedback on children in the hostels – absenteeism/bunking is often not reported to parents


  • Alleged drug abuse, alcohol abuse, sexual misconduct, bullying and theft


  • Exposure of younger learners to negative influences


  • The Peer pressure placed on learners in hostels is greater than that experienced at home


  • Inability of schools to maintain confidentiality and supervise ARVs – children on chronic medication struggle with adherence


  • Ongoing occurrence of teen pregnancies


  • Nutritional issues


Criteria for the allocation of bursaries

Bursaries are allocated according to strict criteria which include among others the following:


  • the applicant’s gross annual family income is below the threshold of R 60 000 (Sixty thousand rand) per annum


  • proof of income and affidavits are provided and the


  • the applicant has a proven record of good academic achievement.



In most cases the money is paid directly to the school or supplier.  Learners must provide school academic reports every quarter. The reality is that the income is much lower than the threshold because of the rate of unemployment in the area.


Daily Transport Fees to High School

Masithandane has put a transport system in place for learners attending schools in Knysna and George. On a daily basis, more than 30  learners use the bus to George.


We act as an intermediary between the transport provider and the parents of the learners, receive payments from the parents and then pay these over to the transport provider. We supply each learner with a ticket including a photo once the payment has been received to allow them access to the bus transport and supply a list of names, schools and pick-up points on a monthly basis.



The cost of daily transport to Knysna or George is between R10800 and R 11800 per annum per learner payable over 10 months.



Other needs

Besides providing assistance to families with transport costs to school there is a real need to also pay for school fees, uniforms and toiletries for teens.

Outcomes

The Bursary fund is a preventive measure needed to prevent high school drop-outs, teenage pregnancy, crime, drug abuse and the dangers associated with hitch-hiking.