Mokhele Rabolinyane

Nominee's Province:
Free State

Age:
27

Project Name/Description:
Electrical engineering graduate, general “school assistant at Mabeoana Primary School

More info:

Electrical engineering graduate Mokhele Rabolinyane would have been delivering parcels in Bloemfontein had it not been for an advert he saw for the Presidential Youth Employment Initiation calling for applicants to apply as teacher and general school assistants. The 22-year-old Rabolinyane is employed as a general school assistant at Mabeoana Primary School in Mangaung, Bloemfontein. When Rabilonyane, who has a national diploma in electrical engineering from Central University of Technology, is not involved in the general maintenance of the school, he is helping pupils with maths, natural science and technology. Together with Thebe Masiu, 31, who has a national diploma in music, they are part of the 17 young people who are gaining work experience while contributing to the education of pupils in the area. They have been an invaluable part of the school since 2020, when the first phase of the programme, which is implemented in five-month long contracts, started in the province. “I have developed a love for teaching since coming at the school as a GSA (general school assistant),” said Rabilonyane who was also a pupil at Mabeoana. “I provide support in maths, natural science and technology. I also help learners with building models as part of their school projects,” says Rabilonyane. “As EAs [education assistants] and GSAs we are a bridge between learners and teachers. When teachers are explaining concepts, I observe the learners and write down words that may confuse them. I also note which learners are not participating and try to find out why they are not engaging with the subject.” Masiu, who has a diploma in music from the University of the Free State, is an EA, and as a reading champion for the school he helps pupils learn to read for understanding. He also facilitates reading classes at Mabeoana to inculcate a culture of reading at the school. “For 30 minutes each day, everyone at the school participates in reading – from cleaners to cooks – we all play a part to ensure that learners are able to read for comprehension,” he says. “I arrange extra classes for learners who have a reading challenge.”