The Rural Education Access Programme (REAP) enables young people from poor rural communities in South Africa access to tertiary education. Matriculants from these communities are usually unable to access higher education due to poverty, poor education, lack of information, distance from urban centres or educational hubs, and historical apartheid discrimination.
REAP meets this essential need in South Africa by carefully selecting rural learners who meet university requirements. In addition, a proven package of support is provided to give them the best possible chance of success. Without this support many of these learners would be unable to fulfill their potential, succeed in their studies, find employment and make a contribution to the development of South Africa . Young men and women are given new hope, not only to escape poverty themselves, but also to uplift their families, through the prospect of further study.
MINIMIZE
REAP calls on state mechanisms to assist students. The success of the programme can be ascribed to the holistic support that is offered. Students are assisted through:
- A network of volunteers and youth focused community or non-governmental organisations who identify financially challenged rural students and assist with career guidance, application & selection processes.
- Assisting successful applicants to secure enrolment at the relevant institutions
- Allocation of either full-cost bursaries provided by the National Skills Fund or priority access to National Student Financial Aid Scheme loans. Successful study can convert up to 40% of the loan to a bursary. The interest rate is subsidised.
- This includes assistance with study costs such as: registration, books, living expenses, travel costs, technical equipment spectacles and health care (where applicable).
- Monthly mentoring, advice and counselling provided by a dedicated Student Development Advisor, which takes place either face-to-face or via a toll free line.
- A programme of workshops designed to develop social and academic skills.
- Work preparation workshops for senior students.
- Peer mentoring and group support.
- Performance monitoring and feedback.
- Information and support for HIV/AIDS.
- Liaison with institutional student services.
- Introductions to additional service providers.
- An opportunity to sow back through voluntary community service.
REAP has an equitable and efficient selection process which addresses the national skills shortage through the prioritisation courses.
Our developmental approach teaches and encourages students to eventually come to a place of independence where they can face challenges and solve problems on their own. REAP also regularly undertakes research and advocates remedies for inequities that impact our students.
In 2011, REAP is supporting 395 students originating from rural areas across South Africa, enrolled at 15 different Higher Education Institutions in 5 different provinces. Our students are studying a broad range of disciplines at under-graduate level. All REAP students come from families earning less than ZAR120,000 per year.
ZAR15 000 supports a tertiary student on the programme for one year. If you wish to support a student, contact reception@reap.org.za. If you are a South African Citizen, REAP will send you a tax certificate. You will be acknowledged as a supporter of the Programme on REAP's website and in REAP publications (unless you wish otherwise) and you will receive reports about your student(s)' progress twice a year.
Results
End of 2010 Results
In 2010, 80% of REAP students passed 50% or more of their courses.
There was a total of 340 students on the programme of whom 49% were females. REAP is proud to report that 40 students graduated last year. Twenty-five of these students completed their studies in minimum time. Qualifications were obtained in the following fields: Arts & Humanities, Built Environment, Commerce, Engineering, Health, Law and Science. It is important to note that many REAP students demonstrate early success and obtain full cost bursaries. Obtaining bursaries often means students leave the REAP Programme prior to the completion of their studies and are therefore not captured as a graduate on our database. For example, in 2010, 46 REAP students were awarded substantial bursaries.
Impact
A recent tracking study of our 2001 cohort of students indicated that REAP has had a major impact on the lives of our former students. By giving them an opportunity to further their studies and follow a promising career path, REAP has helped change the social and economic status of many. It seems to be a common trend for graduates to become deeply engaged in helping their extended families, both financially and in other ways, such as acting as role models and symbols of hope to the people around them.
A large percentage of former REAP students have also actively sought to plow back into their communities. It seems the support and encouragement provided by REAP stirs a growing ambition to succeed and a desire to contribute to society.
The REAP Early Recruitment Pilot Project
REAP has been aware of the lack of preparation of poor rural students for Higher Education and the impact of this on their performance and success for a number of years. This year we have embarked on a pilot exercise in the Eastern Cape Province of reaching and recruiting learners in Grade 11. Our current students have received basic career guidance training and will visit their former schools during vacation time to motivate learners to consider tertiary study, to connect with Life Orientation (LO) teachers and to provide information on Higher Education to learners. To date REAP has visited 24 schools introducing REAP to principals and LO teachers. We hope to build links with LO teachers to facilitate career guidance for early REAP applicants by providing motivation, opportunity for study, resources and training. At the moment our heads are abuzz with the experience of visiting rural schools & the challenges engaged with on a daily basis.
