The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) will be hosting an activation of its free Second Chance and Start Here programmes at Riverside Mall in Nelspruit on 18 January 2013.
The Second Chance programme provides young people who did not pass their matric exams or seek to improve their pass rate, an opportunity to enrol for revision classes as well as a second chance to rewrite their exams. The Start Here initiative is a comprehensive Career Guidance programme which is aimed at enabling young people to access reliable and up-to-date information upon which to make informed decisions about their lives and their future.
The NYDA has already witnessed the effectiveness of the two programmes in helping young people, after 2 870 matriculants passed the 2012 exams from the 3 040 learners who enrolled the previous year. The learners who have undergone the two programmes have also demonstrated a clear understanding of the career path they wish to pursue, owing to the career guidance lessons.
“It’s been humbling to see the massive difference that these programmes are making in the lives of young people across the country. We’re encouraging young people in Mpumalanga to enrol for the programmes and be in a position to make informed decisions about their careers as well as stand a chance to obtain a commendable pass mark for a National Senior Certificate. Young people need to understand that as an organisation, we will do all we can to ensure that the youth are afforded an opportunity to access opportunities,” said Steven Ngubeni, NYDA CEO.
Among the current success of the programmes is Anastacia Masingi, an 18 year old who is originally from Mpumalanga. She rewrote her exams at the Vaal Star Schools campus and achieved an average of 60% for Mathematics and Physical Science.
She says, “Initially I rewrote my matric because I did not achieve the requirements to pursue my ambitions and while I am still not completely satisfied with my results, I now meet the university requirements. I have applied to study Chemical Engineering at the Vaal University of Technology and my parents are also very proud of me for persevering and for working hard through the revision provided by the NYDA,” she said.
“It is success stories such as those of Anastacia that we hope will motivate our young people to better themselves. I would like to encourage young people to come forward and maximise this great opportunity,” said Ngubeni.
The NYDA will continue to communicate details of upcoming programmes including details about the roll out of the 2013 Second Chance Programme and the Start Here campaign. Information on these programmes will be published on the NYDA website www.nyda.gov.za and other media.
For media enquiries please contact:
Nawhal Kara-Foster
Cell: 084 894 2213
E-mail: nawhal.kara-foster@nyda.gov.za
Shoe-Shoe Letele
Jenni Newman Public Relations
Tel: 011 506 7374
Cell: 082 406 1018
E-mail: shoe-shoel@jnpr.co.za
Article source: South African Government Information