Kutlwanong Centre for Maths, Science and Technology, a non-profit organisation, will be celebrating twenty years of producing distinctions and Bachelor passes in Maths and Science in township and rural based schools across the country.
Unqualified and under-qualified teachers
For years the pass rate in these areas hovered below 50% pass mark. Most learners either dropped out of the schooling system or pursued career paths they did not like. This was primarily due to the fact that most maths and science teachers were either unqualified or under-qualified to competently teach these subjects. In addition, many schools lacked proper teaching aids, science kits or laboratories to conduct experiments.
Boosting learner performance in township high schools
The centre has successfully bucked this trend of poor results by intentionally boosting learner performance in STEM subjects. It started offering weekend classes in 2005 with 140 Grade 10, 11 and 12 learners at Makhoarane Primary School in Dobsonville, Soweto. By 2018 the inaugural cohort of 140 learners produced 22 Cs, 34 B’s, 84 distinctions and 10 students achieved 100% in maths. Since its launch, two decades ago, the centre has produced a total of 13 522 distinctions. Today, it has expanded its footprint nationally; it operates in all provinces except in the North West and Northern Cape.
Contributing to the National Senior Certificate
Not only does the centre provide a pipeline of learners ready to enter tertiary education, but it also contributes to the country’s overall National Senior Certificate pass rate. Most of the learners are always among top achievers who receive accolades from the Department of Basic Education.
For instance, a 2024 Grade 12 national cohort achieved a total of 5 432 distinctions across all the subjects with 130 candidates from Kutlwanong Centre achieving distinctions in all their subjects. Candidates of the centre achieved 97.4% Bachelor passes in 2024 while a total of 1 602 achieved distinctions in both Mathematics and Physical Sciences in 2024.
Increasing women representation in STEM leadership
The centre’s has paved a way for many young black learners to follow careers in critical areas such as commerce, engineers, science, mining, technology and mathematics. Learners, particularly girl learners, who outperform their male peers, lifted themselves and their family out of poverty and also secured decent jobs in the science sector. This augurs well for women as they are currently under-represented in STEM fields. They only account for 23% of the STEM professionals and only 17% of these hold leadership positions.
Teacher recruitment
The centre’s academic success can be attributed to its strict and careful teacher selection process. Teachers are handpicked, assessed to determine their passion and proficiency in maths and science curriculum content. Furthermore, they should also be innovative, easy to relate to and connect with learners, and how to bring the best out of them.
Solid Alumni Programme
The Alumni Programme forms a critical component of the centre. It provides a valuable platform for support, networking and mentorship, especially for learners transitioning from high school to university. Today, some of them hold senior leadership or executive positions in different science, academic and blue chip companies.
One of the most notable beneficiaries of the programme is Isaiah Mhlanga, who was recently appointed chief economist at Rand Merchant Bank. He is currently serving as board member of the centre
Others include:
- John Phetla: He graduated from University of Pretoria with an engineering degree. He currently works as an acting site manager at UMS Mining Engineer.
- Karabo Sekonyela: He graduated from Wits in 2021 with an Honors degree in Aeronautical He is currently a project manager, special projects lead at @jendamark.
- Lethabo Vacu: After she passed maths and science with flying colours, Vacu was able to study and is now a qualified pilot for FLYSAFAIR.
Journalists are invited to attend and interview some of the alumni, teachers and the centre’s founding members.
The event will take place as follows:
Date: 08 October 2025
Time: 10:30 – 12:30
Venue: Investec100 Grayston Dr, Sandown, Sandton, 2196
Please confirm your attendance by contacting:
Thabo Mohlala
083 298 6573
FACT SHEET
KUTLWANONG CENTRE FOR MATHS, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Kutlwanong Centre for Maths, Science and Technology is a non-profit organisation offering STEM classes to Grade 10, 11 and 12 learners in impoverished communities in all provinces except theNorth West and Northern Cape. The centre has a national footprint, operating in all provinces except North West and the Northern Cape provinces. It currently has 8 870 learners and 608 teachers.
When was it formed and why?
The centre started offering STEM classes on weekends in 2005. It began with 140 Grade 10, 11 and 12 learners at Makhoarane Primary School in Dobsonville, Soweto. To date it has assisted over 43 077 township youth to achieve decent passes in mathematics and physical sciences.
Mission
A Non-profit Organisation committed to accelerating the quantity and quality of Mathematics and Physical Science performance among township and rural youth
Vision
Growing and nurturing a black talent pool of professionals pursuing scarce skills careers in Commerce, Engineering, Science, Mining, Technology and Mathematics.
Methodology
Over the past 19 years our programmes are a pipeline for learners to excel at high school
STEM; access tertiary education and pursue professional careers to serve the local & global workforce.
Programmes
- Teacher Development (High School Education)
We provide workshops and support to teachers to transition content from the curriculum to the classroom.
- Learner Programme (High School)
We provide Maths and Science tuition to Grade 10, 11 and 12 learners
- Career Path (High School)
We provide tools and content to learners in order to access bursaries, financial aid & tertiary applications. Learners are also exposed to STEM professionals and role models
- Alumni Programme (Tertiary and Workplace)
We provide support and networking opportunities and also support learners to plot and pursue their career journeys.
National Senior Certificate
Our centre contributes enormously to the overall annual National Senior Certificate pass rate with most of our learners always among top achievers and receiving special recognition from the Department of Basic Education. In 20 years we produced 13 522 high school Maths and Science distinctions in township schools.
The 2024 Grade 12 national cohort achieved a total of 5 432 distinctions across all the subjects with 130 of our candidates achieving distinctions in all their subjects. Our candidates achieved 97.4% Bachelor passes in 2024 while a total of 1 602 obtained distinctions in both Mathematics and Physical Sciences in 2024.
Furthermore, we contributed 4.7% of National Quality Passes in Mathematics NSC 2024. Similarly, we contributed 9.8% of National Distinctions in Mathematics NSC 2024. Our contribution to the National Quality Passes in Physical Sciences NSC 2024 was 641 distinctions while two of our learners obtained 100%. We contributed 11,3% of National Distinctions in Physical Sciences NSC 2024.