Empowering aspiring teachers through bursary programme
A DEDICATED educator in training from De Aar, Armancha Mitchell, has shown great commitment to uplifting her community through education, as evidenced in her role as a maths coach and her aspirations to contribute more as a qualified teacher.
Mitchell’s educational journey is being supported by the De Aar Solar Power Bursary Programme, which is currently benefiting five local recipients.
The programme focusses on nurturing young talents in numeracy and literacy and encourages students from regions like Hanover, Britstown, Phillipstown, and De Aar to pursue teaching careers.
Born and raised in De Aar, Mitchell is entering her third year of studies for a Bachelor of Education, Intermediate Phase.
She discovered her passion for teaching in 2020, when she began serving as a maths coach at Kareeville Primary School.
What initially seemed an unforeseen career path, evolved into a profound commitment to education and inspiring young minds.
She is driven by a hunger for knowledge and envisions extending her educational journey beyond the Bachelor's degree, aiming for an Honours degree and eventually a Master's degree in education.
Mitchell encourages other people in similar situations of lack of funds to pursue their dreams.
“The opportunity is a blessing because there are a lot of young people in my community with the potential and dream to go study further but they can't due to finances. Being in this position, I am able to show them that this is possible," said Mitchell.
“When I realised that I loved what I was doing and what I was accomplishing while working with these kids, I started the process of applying for my teaching degree.”
The economic development director for De Aar Solar Power, Hlengiwe Radebe, said they believe in fostering education and empowering aspiring teachers in the region.
“We believe in fostering education and empowering aspiring teachers in the region. Through our numeracy and literacy programme and bursary programme, community members like Mitchell will be encouraged to pursue a career in education and contribute their skills back into the community,” said Radebe.