The programmes
Catch-up programme
(Grades 6&7)
This programme serves to address the huge deficit in students' conceptual understanding and content knowledge of mathematics. The programme starts at Grade 6 level with the indentification of 60 students who show particular potential in mathematics. These students join the programme at the start of Grade 7 and remain on it for one year, attending classes on alternate Saturdays during the scool term. At the end of Grade all students are tested and up to 40 of the top achievers advance to the Learner Placement Programme (LPP).
Learner Placement Programme
(Grades 8-12)
The aim of the LPP is to give students who show potential in mathematics and science, the opportunity to pursue these subjects and to eventually enter into mathematics and science-based fields of study at tertiary level.
The LPP involves the following:
- Placement into a high school that has been identified as having a strong culture of teaching and learning, with special emphasis on science and mathematics.
- Financial assistance to cover school fees, uniforms, stationery and transport.
- Participation in the SAILI Comets Technology Programme for Grades 8 & 9 and the FET Teaching Programme for Grades 10, 11 and 12.
- A guidance counselling service that offers one-on-one counselling sessions, assistance with the sourcing of bursaries and applications to tertiary institutions.
- Site visits to industry.
- Participation in engineering winter schools and mathematics, science and technology olympiads.
Enrichment programmes
To complement the teaching of mathematics and science in the classroom SAILI offers the following support programmes:
SAILI Comets Technology Programme
(Grades 8 and 9)
This programme was initiated by SAILI in 2003 in partnership with the Sciencentre, an interactive technology centre. The aim of the programme is to enthuse students about mathematics, science and technology, making it more accessible and demystifying the wonders these subjects hold.
FET Teaching Programme
(Grades 10-12)
Based at TSiBA, business campus, this programme offers mathematics and science teaching and aims to enhance students' performance in these subjects.
Post-school Programme
Once SAILI students have completed Grade 12, they join the post-school programme, known as the SAILI Alumni, where they are assisted with applications to tertiary institutions, the procurement of bursaries and career guidance.
Post-school students are encouraged to plough back into SAILI. They do this in many different ways. Many come back to present workshops and lectures on pertinent topics to our learner body. Some, especially those in employment, also pledge financial support where possible.