{"id":4670,"date":"2026-01-13T13:02:03","date_gmt":"2026-01-13T11:02:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/?p=175280"},"modified":"2026-01-13T13:02:03","modified_gmt":"2026-01-13T11:02:03","slug":"its-a-celebration-for-cdc-pupils","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/mail\/its-a-celebration-for-cdc-pupils\/","title":{"rendered":"It\u2019s a Celebration for CDC Pupils"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Table of Contents<\/p>\n

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Probably the strongest message that I have received from the Coega Maths and Science Programme (MSP) is that failure is just another opportunity to do better next time!<\/p>\n

In a nutshell, the MSP \u2013 a no-fee CDC CSI Initiative run by Eldon September \u2013 accepts pupils who have done well in subjects other than Maths and Science and then gives these pupils a second chance to get a better Grade 12 result by repeating their School-Based Assessment (SBA) and sit for the National Senior Certificate examinations as part-time candidates at the end of the year.<\/p>\n

From personal experience in my home I can attest that this approach often does bring exemplary results and a renewed sense of pride and maturity in the pupil. Young John elected to repeat Grade 7 last year and has grown in leaps and bounds as he re-affirmed the core learning required to pass and went from bottom to top.<\/p>\n

This morning MSP celebrated their Class of 2025 with a certificate handover and celebrated 4 Distinctions \u2013 3 in Maths and 1 in Science)<\/p>\n

<\/span>2025\u2019s Top Three learners were:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
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  1. Cassey Barbier: Maths 91%, Sciences 85%<\/li>\n
  2. Alizwa Spelmandla: Maths 87%, Sciences 72%<\/li>\n
  3. Simengemalenkosi Mgoduka: Maths 82%, Science 74%<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    For the past four years the programme has produced a 100% pass rate.<\/span><\/p>\n

    The split between male and female for 2025 was 80% Female and 20% Male.<\/p>\n

    The Coega Maths and Science Programme (MSP) is a flagship Corporate Social Investment (CSI) initiative run by the Coega Development Corporation (CDC). It is specifically designed as a \u201csecond chance\u201d school for matriculants who wish to improve their Grade 12 results in Mathematics and Physical Science.<\/p>\n

    Located at the Coega Skills Development Centre in Gqeberha, the program aims to bridge the gap between high school and tertiary education, particularly for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.<\/p>\n

    <\/span>Core Objectives:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

    Upgrading Results:<\/strong> To help learners improve their marks to meet the entry requirements for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) degrees.<\/p>\n

    Skills Development:<\/strong> To address the critical shortage of scarce skills in South Africa by feeding more students into technical and engineering fields.<\/p>\n

    Community Upliftment:<\/strong> By offering the program at no cost, it removes financial barriers for families in the Nelson Mandela Bay area.<\/p>\n

    The school follows an intensive, full-time curriculum that mirrors the traditional academic year:<\/p>\n

    Classes typically run from February to October, Monday to Friday (08h00 \u2013 16h00).<\/p>\n

    The focus is exclusively on Mathematics and Physical Science.<\/p>\n

    Learners repeat their School-Based Assessment (SBA) and sit for the National Senior Certificate examinations as part-time candidates at the end of the year.<\/p>\n

    The program is highly regarded for its \u201ccatalytic\u201d impact on students\u2019 lives.<\/p>\n

    The program has recently maintained a 100% pass rate for three consecutive years (2022\u20132024).<\/p>\n

    <\/span>Distinctions:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

    The Class of 2023 produced 10 distinctions in Mathematics, with several students jumping from failing grades to scores above 70% or 80%. 2024 produced 9 Maths Distinctions and 4 Science Distinctions.<\/p>\n

    <\/span>Admission Requirements:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

    To be eligible for the program, applicants usually need to meet the following criteria:<\/p>\n