Staff Empowerment

Teacher Empowerment Programme

Vuleka is very proud of Ms Joyce Peters, who has worked for Vuleka since the school's inception, initially as an assistant, and who studied part-time for her teachers' diploma.  Joyce started as a Grade 2 teacher in 2002 and, after a few years teaching the Junior Supported Learning Class at our Special Needs centre at Randburg Methodist Church, has returned to St Martin's to teach Grade 2.

Vuleka has received many applications for employment from black teachers who have qualified, but who are unable to get a post as they have no experience.  The decision was taken in 2002 to open up opportunities for the empowerment of black teachers by assisting them - through an apprenticeship to a Vuleka teacher - to gain the practical skills and classroom experience needed to get employment at other schools.  Ms Lucia Tunzi completed her two year internship and then taught a Grade 0 class until July 2008, when she was offered a job at a state school. Mrs Anna Mojapelo taught Grade 0 at St Paul's for a year, and was then offered a job at a local state school.  Mr Maano Matumba completed his two year internship at the end of 2006, and is now teaching the Grade 4 class at St Mark's, North Riding.  Mr Freddy Makgato completed his internship at the end of 2009 and has taken over the Grade 5 class, also at North Riding.

There is currently one teacher on the programme:  Ms Gugu Msezane, at 19 Jellicoe.

Student Teacher Programme

In addition to our Teacher Empowerment Programme, we are also taking on young people who would like to study as teachers.  Vuleka pays for their studies through Unisa, and they work as classroom assistants during the day.  We have four students currently on the programme:  Ms Kendall Batty and Mr Lucky Sibiya (North Riding), and Ms Linzelle Uys and Mr Jutas Baloyi (19 Jellicoe and St Martin's).

Joyce at her graduation at the University of Johannesburg in May 2006.