#enrichED Symposium brings After School sector together to narrow education gap | Western Cape Government

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#enrichED Symposium brings After School sector together to narrow education gap

10 June 2019

Improving the lives of children was at the forefront of discussion as delegates from the after-school sector gathered at the CTICC this weekend for the #enrichED Symposium.

The event was hosted by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS), through its After School Programme office, which aims to use after-school sports and cultural programmes to help address the challenges facing at-risk youth from schools in historically disadvantaged areas.

Hundreds of delegates from around the province attended a range of events at the Symposium, which opened on Thursday night with the launch of the Humans of the After School Movement – a project which celebrates the hidden educators of the sector. 

The main events of the symposium then got underway on Friday morning, with several plenaries and smaller breakaway discussions taking place throughout the day and on Saturday. DCAS Head of Department Brent Walters spoke at the opening of the symposium. 

Both days featured several renowned speakers from the education, after school and non-profit sectors, both from South Africa and further afield. These included Uganda’s Robert Katende and Phiona Mutesi, who inspired the Disney movie “Queen of Katwe”, as well as internationally acclaimed school principal Dr Ramon Gonzalez from the US and 2018 Global Teacher prize winner Andria Zafirakou from England.

The aim of the After School Programme is to have at least 20% of learners at no-fee and low-fee schools in the province (112 000 children) regularly and consistently attend quality after school programmes at least twice a week.

Research shows that this could lead to:

•          Improved attitudes towards learning
•          Improved school outcomes
•          Improved school retention
•          Improved matric results
•          Reduction in risk taking behaviour

In order to achieve these goals, the After School Programme aims to:

•          Create an enabling environment for after school programmes.
•          Ensure learners in After School Programmes access quality programming.
•          Expand the after school programme through collaboration and partnerships.

Visit the website for more information on the After School Programme.

The Western Cape Government works to create quality after-school programmes and close the education gap. BETTER TOGETHER.

Media Enquiries: 

Dr Tania Colyn
Head of Communication Service
Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport
Tel: 021 483 9877 / 076 093 4913
E-mail: Tania.Colyn@westerncape.gov.za