By Martha Fitzpatrick Bishai | Director, The Umkhumbane Schools Project
Yes, at least forty -- and going up!
That is the exciting number of provisional offers for admission to university that Umkhumbane Schools Project (USP) learners have already earned for 2027. Not long ago it was way out of reach for any of our learners to receive an early, conditional offer of college admission. And back in 2012 when the USP began, barely a handful of learners from across all five of our partner schools qualified for any further study at all beyond high school.
As the end of the 2026 school year is approaching, USP learners are immersed in final exams. Our Grade 12's face particular pressure, as it is their turn to take the National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams. Not only do these nation-wide exams mark the end of their high school days, but they also set the threshold for what higher education opportunities will be open to them.
For some context, low achievement in mathematics remains a significant barrier to higher education for disadvantaged learners all across South Africa who may have done well on other parts of the NSC exams. Helping learners reach their potential in math has therefore always been a central part of the USP’s strategic vision as we work to transform educational outcomes in the Umkhumbane community.
That brings us back to our north-of-forty excitement.
For USP learners to have already received forty provisional offers of admission at this point in the year is truly noteworthy and a source of affirmation for the USP maths program, which has been lifting performance in what is otherwise a “roadblock” subject since 2012. While more than forty doors have been opened so far for 2027, that number will grow in January when exam results are announced and final offers made.
After the NSC mathematics exam this past Monday, the USP invited our Grade 12's to enjoy a moment away from the pressure to attend a year-end celebration of how far they have come. We presented them with certificates and served lunch with a big cake for dessert — always a major attraction!
It is not only our math program that is helping learners earn higher education opportunities. The USP team provides learners with wrap-around admissions counseling, career guidance, application submission support, payment of admission fees, interview coaching, scholarship guidance and application support, social work support, and more, throughout the year.
The USP’s science enrichment, girls clubs, social work and counseling, chess, and school grants programs are also wrapping up an impactful year. More on these in future reports.
We send you this report with our heartfelt thanks! Your generous GlobalGiving donations are what continue to make all of this possible, and we are deeply grateful for your partnership with us.
We wish you all the very best and look forward to keeping you updated!
With our sincere appreciation,
Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.
If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you can receive an email when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports without donating.
Support this important cause by creating a personalized fundraising page.
Start a Fundraiser
