SERI supports COSAT, a secondary school in Khayelitsha, to address South Africa's shortage of skilled professionals in fields like engineering, science and technology. COSAT provides quality math and science education to underserved learners through initiatives like small class sizes, academic support programs, and funding for resources. SERI further aids COSAT students through bursaries, leadership programs, and career guidance to help them succeed at university where many go on to careers like doctor, engineer or computer programmer.

1. SERI
Science Education Resources
Initiative

2. SERI’s Mission
SERI is the ‘support arm’ of the Centre of
Science and Technology [COSAT].
Their joint mission is to produce quality
matriculants in Maths, Science and IT, with the
ultimate objective of addressing the dire
shortage of suitably-qualified Science,
Engineering and Technology professionals in
South Africa.
SERI achieves its mission through a number of
initiatives targeted at secondary school learners.

3. Skills Shortages in South Africa
South Africa has a huge shortage of
skilled people in the following fields:
Engineering
Commerce
Medical Sciences
Science
Technology
Information Technology

4. The Education System in S.A.
RECENT RESEARCH SHOWS THAT:
Only 20% of South African 6th-graders can do Maths
at the appropriate grade levels (average score 27%).
The figure for ex-DET (black) schools is only 0,1%.
In a sample of 100 000 Grade 6 African learners, only
100 can do Grade 6 Maths.
The education system is delivering quantity, not quality.
SO, IN A SMALL BUT MEANINGFUL WAY,
SERI AND COSAT ARE TRYING TO MAKE
A DIFFERENCE.

5. Centre of Science and Technology
COSAT
COSAT is based in
Khayelitsha at the Good
Hope campus of the False
Bay FET College. There are
12 teachers and 180
learners.
In 2009:
Grade 10: 81
Grade 11: 52
Grade 12: 47

6. Advantages for COSAT learners:
Small classes (+25 learners per class)
(+
Excellent resources (Labs, Library, Computers, etc.)
Exciting enrichment activities
A caring environment
An impressive academic track record (100% pass rate,
excellent Matric results)
Academic support programmes (Maths, Science,
English, IT)
An eighth Matric subject – Advanced Mathematics – for
the mathematically talented
Opportunities in tertiary education

7. Disadvantages (for some!)
Less free time (COSAT demands hard work!)
A long school day (08.00 – 16.15)
A 6-day school week (All COSAT learners attend
6-
Saturday School.)
Lack of subject choice (Science-related subjects only)
(Science-
For many, long-distance travel to school.
long-

8. COSAT Staff

9. COSAT Curriculum
Xhosa /Sotho (First Language)
English (First Additional Language)
Life Orientation
Physical Sciences
Mathematics (No Maths Literacy)
Life Sciences
Information Technology (No CAT)
IEB Advanced Mathematics [an eighth subject for
the mathematically talented]

10. COSAT MATRIC RESULTS
Since 2001, when COSAT produced its first
matriculants, the matriculation results have
been consistently excellent –
a 100% pass rate for 8 years in a row
a 60% - 81% rate of matric exemptions
with higher grade Maths and Science
many subject distinctions (104 As in 2008)

11. SOME COSAT SUCCESSES
COSAT is the biggest township feeder school to UCT
and we also have many students studying
at Stellenbosch University, UWC and CPUT.
2001 2001 2002 2002
Doctor Accountant Economist Computer
Programmer

12. What is SERI?
SERI IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANISATION THAT
NON-
SUPPORTS COSAT IN DIFFERENT WAYS:
Recruitment (Fun’ulwazi at COSAT, Sivile and Sakumlandela)
(Fun’ulwazi
GET IT and GET Building (in the form of bursaries awarded to individual students, for enrichment,
pastoral support and academic support)
Specific academic support programmes (e.g. the Maths Initiative)
Leadership Programmes (e.g. Leadership-Through-Art)
Leadership-Through-
Career guidance and work-shadowing (Grades 11 and 12)
work-
Camps and Excursions (e.g. The Grade 10 Marine Biology Camp)
The COSAT and Sivile reading libraries and reading and literacy programmes
The COSAT Houses (Tutu, Mandela and Luthuli)

13. SERI’s Get IT and GET Building
These programmes ensure the awarding of bursaries to
individual COSAT learners, whereby they are supported for
the 3-year period that they attend the school.
SERI acknowledges with gratitude the generosity of:
Murray and Roberts
American Institute for African Development (AIAD)
(USA)
Foxglove Trust (UK)
SAAB Grintek (SA)

14. GET IT/ GET Building
Each COSAT learner benefits in terms of:
A uniform subsidy
A transport subsidy, when needed
IT/Engineering camp
A leadership course
A career guidance programme, focusing on IT/Engineering
(Grades 11 and 12)
An IT/Engineering work shadow programme (Grade 11)
Advanced Maths course for the mathematically talented
Remedial Maths and IT
A domestic support programme to address personal and social
problems (Grades 10,11 and 12)

15. Fun’ulwazi: SERI’s Recruitment Programme
Practical Science Activities at Saturday School

16. Fun’ulwazi English Lessons (NOT OBE)

17. At COSAT:
Science in the Physics lab

18. Information Technology (IT) is a
compulsory subject at COSAT.

19. COSAT has mid-term reports.
mid-
The “Choc Awards” to top achievers are a COSAT institution.

20. COSAT learners celebrate cultural diversity.
E.g. Dress-up day 2008
Dress-

21. Uniform
(subsidized by SERI)

22. Transport
SERI gives monthly transport subsidies to
students who travel far or who are in need.

23. The COSAT
Saturday Support Programme
All COSAT learners attend
Saturday classes on thirty
Saturdays of the academic
year.
The focus is on Maths and IT.

24. Reading Development Programme
On 31 May 2007, SERI
opened a small library in
Khayelitsha on the COSAT
campus. So far, it carries a
stock of more than 4000
books, all carefully chosen to
stimulate and amuse
teenagers of varying English-
English-
language ability. It is used by
the COSAT students and the
Fun'ulwazi Grade 8s and 9s.
SERI has recently opened a
brand-
brand-new library at Sivile.

25. COSAT Feeding Scheme
Each day COSAT learners can buy, at a
cost of only R1, a nourishing meal –
in winter, a cup of soup and four slices of
bread;
in summer, 2 sandwiches and fruit.
This meal enables the COSAT learners
to get through the long school day.
They can’t be HIGH TECH AND
HUNGRY!

26. Domestic Support Programme
SERI assists families in dire need -

27. and provides specs where they’re needed.

28. SERI funds camps and excursions . . .
e.g. the Grade 10 Marine Biology Course

29. and educational outings . . .

30. IT SPONSORS ROBOTICS
AT COSAT AND FUN’ULWAZI
E.g. the Lego League Robotics Competition at UCT

31. AND ENCOURAGES PARTICIPATION
IN SCIENCE EXPOS
e.g. the Science Expo at UCT

32. It sponsors
LEADERSHIP-THROUGH-
LEADERSHIP-THROUGH-ART -
a SUPER-FRIDAY activity for the grade 10s -
SUPER-

33. and ‘GYM WIZARDS’, who do fitness training with
the learners, as part of Life Orientation.
Crab Soccer has become a popular pastime!

34. SERI sponsors
LEADERSHIP COURSES for all grades.

35. COSAT has a strong debating team.
It participates annually in the UN debate.

36. COSAT OPENS DOORS!
2006 COSAT matriculant, Thembisa Qwabe, leaves her home
for the Medical Faculty of the University of Stellenbosch to
study to become a doctor.

37. COSAT STUDENTS AT UCT
Name Maths Science Overall Symbol Course Institution Year
Bebi Siyabulela Sean 57% 66% 71% B B.Sc UCT 2007
Biko Unathi 77% 68% 75% B B.Bus. Science UCT 2007
Dulaze Chuma 75% 69% 75% B B.Com. UCT 2007
Dulaze Luyolo 83% 75% 78% B B.Com. UCT 2007
Jas Khauhelo 60% 54% 68% C B.Sc. Mech. Eng. UCT 2007
Mabuza Nhlanhla 54% 53% 65% C B.Sc Biotech. UCT 2007
Mavela Phakamani 56% 46% 69% C B.Sc Comp. Sc. UCT 2007
Mdleleni Bulelwa 89% 84% 85% A B.Sc Biochemistry UCT 2007
Nofemela Neliswa 57% 61% 70% B B.Sc Biochemistry UCT 2007
Ntshuntshe Siphiwo 77% 72% 80% A B.Bus. Sc. (Fin.) UCT 2007
Skiti Sivuyile 48% 40% 61% C B.Sc Biotech. UCT 2007
Stishi Tembelani 66% 48% 72% B B.Bus Sc UCT 2007

38. Thsona Vuyolwethu 53% 48% 67% C B.Sc Computer Science UCT 2007
Twala Sibusiso Taze 75% 66% 78% B B.Sc Actuarial Science UCT 2007
Mnyazi Sazi 80% 85% 88% A B.Sc Electromechanical Eng. UCT 2006
Mabentsela Arthur 80% 85% 87% A B.Sc Chemical Engineering UCT 2006
Mangqobe Nyameka 85% 85% 87% A Medicine (M.B Ch.B) UCT 2006
Metuso Makabongwe 80% 83% 87% A Chemical Engineering UCT 2006
Ncangayi Sibusiso 84% 75% 87% A Medicine (M.B Ch.B) UCT 2006
Mkoko Nyameko 68% 62% 77% B B.Sc (Electrical Eng) UCT 2006
Juqu Nandipha 59% 44% 66% C B. Com (Accounting) UCT 2006
Dludla Neliswa 60% 64% 61% C B. Com (Accounting) UCT 2006
B.Bus Science (Acc)
Simphiwe Mfati 82% 91% 92% A UCT 2005
B.Bus Science (Acc)
Zodwa Nange 71% 85% 91% A UCT 2005
B.Bus Science (Acc)
Nolubabalo Tshayana 83% 80% 85% A UCT 2005
B.Bus Science (Acc)
Luyolo Lupondo 75% 72% 81% A UCT 2005
Physiotherapy
Amanda Madolo 40% 48% 61% C UCT 2005
Asanda Balintulo 93% 99% 92% A B.Sc (Electrical Engineering) UCT 2004
Yongama Sobambela 88% 87% 91% A B.Sc (Computer Science) UCT 2004
Mcebisi Penza 83% 80% 87% A B.Sc (Electrical Engineering) UCT 2004

39. Loyiso Bikitsha 85% 80% 83% A B.Sc (Computer Science) UCT 2004
Simlingene Sotyingwa 80% 80% 82% A B.Sc (Computer Science) UCT 2004
Siyamkela Makoma 82% 84% 82% A B.Bus Sc (Actuarial Science) UCT 2004
Xolani Mgcoyi 84% 80% 81% A B.Sc (Computer Science) UCT 2004
Chumani Thomas 75% 83% 81% A B.Sc (Mech. Engineering) UCT 2004
Sithelwa Breakfast 80% 82% 80% A B.Com (Accounting) UCT 2004
Lindiswa Mpako 80% 76% 79% B B.Sc (Computer Science) UCT 2004
Thulani Tafeni 72% 73% 78% B B.Sc (Computer Science) UCT 2004
Nozonke Dumani 74% 68% 71% B B.Sc (Chemical Eng) UCT 2004
Mseki Ntsiko 63% 67% 71% B B.Sc (Computer Science) UCT 2004
Siseko Sodlaka 73% 70% 71% B B.Sc (Computer Science) UCT 2004
Mandiphiwe Cwili 80% 52% 64% C B.Bus Science (ECP) UCT 2004
Thembelani Nyikana 93% 86% 86% A BSc (Mech. Engineering) UCT 2003
Neliswa Tshazi 65% 73% 78% B Medicine UCT 2003
Andiswa Zothe 75% 68% 77% B BSc (Chemistry) UCT 2003
Khayalethu Hlanjwa 73% 75% 77% B BSc (Electrical Engineering) UCT 2003
Mfundo Mlangeni 64% 60% 75% B BSc (Botany) UCT 2003
Sithembele Dyan 76% 64% 69% C BSc (Mech. Engineering) UCT 2003
Mandisi Shumana 53% 52% 68% C BSc (Computer Science) UCT 2003
Mohale Makeke 70% 71% 70% B BSc (Mech. Engineering) UCT 2003
Mzukisi Poponi 55% 41% 61% C BSc (BioChemistry) UCT 2003

40. Monde Faku 90% 87% 79% B B.Bus Sc (Actuarial Science) UCT 2002
B.Bus Science (Acc)
Noluthando Mashologu 66% 67% 77% B UCT 2002
Lwazi Mathe 80% 80% 78% B B.Sc (Computer Science) UCT 2002
Ziyanda Gwangqa 71% 64% 73% B B.Sc (Electrical Eng UCT 2002
Anele Radana 59% 58% 67% C B.Sc (Electrical Eng) UCT 2002
Zizo Sotyatya 59% 49% 66% C B.Sc UCT 2002
Zwlethu Mase 65% 60% 65% C B.Sc (Electrical Eng) UCT 2002
Juqu Mongezi 69% 60% 65% C BSc (Mech Eng) ASPECT UCT 2002
Nolisindiso Ncithakalo 46% 45% 61% C B.Sc( Environmental Science) UCT 2002
Nikiwe Tafeni 46% 43% 58% C BSc (Construction Managemt) UCT 2002
Lungisa Tshemese 65% 72% 70% B B.Comm (Accounting) UCT 2001
Mfundo Sijeku 59% 61% 64% C B.Sc (Electrical Eng) UCT 2001
Ayanda Bani 61% 57% 63% C B.Sc (Electrical Eng) UCT 2001