LIT MINDZ is a school-based science and technology initiative that aims to improve secondary learners’ support for maths and science.
LIT MINDZ was founded by a production manager at First National Battery, Wandisile Mbengashe, in 2018.
The programme aims to strengthen collaboration between education spaces and industry so that more professionals partner with schools in supportive roles.
This support takes the form of tutoring, mentoring and job exposure.
Currently, LIT MINDZ has been working primarily with Sikhulule High School in Mdantsane. The programme has had much success at the school in terms of nurturing an interest in science and technology.
Thanks to the programme, Sikhulule High has strong partnerships with manufacturing firms, and through site visits pupils are able to learn about the different jobs in science and technology.
Mbengashe said pupils at schools in low-income areas were vulnerable to many challenges at home and at school and they were not mentored on the career paths available to them.
The pupils were led to believe that maths and science were too complex for them to master and this enabled schools to encourage pupils to move from maths to maths literacy to prioritise the school’s matric pass rate.
Since working with Sikuhulule High, LIT MINDZ has seen a steady improvement in the school’s pass rate, with more pupils remaining enrolled in maths and science. For 2023, LIT MINDZ hopes to improve the matric pass rate at the school from 70% as well as establish functional facilities to support learning such as science and computer labs as well as agricultural facilities.
