Studies show that learners from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds are more likely to perform poorly at school than their more affluent counterparts. Reducing school failure not only benefits individuals and society, it also contributes to economic growth and social development.


Formed in 2009, the Supplementary Education Trust’s vision is to focus on the provision of supplementary education to poor and needy learners through an institution dedicated specifically to this purpose.

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The Supplementary Education Trust (SET) aims to empower poor and needy learners from underperforming schools by raising funds for the procurement of quality supplementary education programmes and materials, thus enabling the learners to achieve their potential in their final matriculation examinations and gain entry to higher education. Poor and needy persons are defined by the South African Revenue Service (SARS) as “impoverished, having little means and few possessions and therefore in need of basic necessities and assistance”.


SET is inspired by the following mission:

  • To equip learners, through supplementary education, to pass their examinations at levels which will enable them to fulfil their career aspirations;
  • To procure the best available educational material and methods;
  • To procure the services of dedicated and creative educators;
  • To make available educational material through digital and other suitable media.

The trust participates in catalytic programmes with schools and educators to provide quality teaching and learning in the areas of English, mathematics and science.


SET strives to remain a positive influence within the education sector and contribute to ensuring sustained economic growth in South Africa.



Supplementary Education Trust - Children

Structure

The Supplementary Education Trust does not charge fees. Its sole source of income is donations or sponsorships. SET may not and does not carry on any trade or business. It accepts donations or sponsorships to enable it to arrange for supplementary education programmes to be provided to deserving learners.


SET applies all funds donated to it towards the achievement of its public benefit activity of providing supplementary education.


However SET is able to provide sponsors with an affidavit concerning its status as a qualifying small enterprise (specialised entity) with a level one B-BBEE procurement recognition level.


In sponsoring education through SET a sponsor is performing a corporate social investment.From a black economic empowerment perspective, the criteria of ownership and management are irrelevant when dealing with a public benefit organisation such as SET.


For the purposes of its scorecard, a sponsor may require details of the beneficiaries of the trust. SET will provide confirmation of the nature of education provided, the percentage of black learners and the total number of learners sponsored.


Trustees

The current trustees of the Supplementary Education Trust are:

Dale Hillary (chartered accountant)


A CA(SA) with an ACMA qualification in cost and management accounting, Dale holds the Middlesex University post-graduate certificate in coaching. He has fulfilled positions as financial director and general manager for British, Swiss and South African conglomerates, affording him broad international experience and extensive involvement with senior leaders in various roles. In 2012 he was awarded the Expedition Leadership Excellence Award by Sirdar. Although semi-retired, Dale currently works independently as a coach and strategy consultant, specialising in Real Leadership.


Dale is one of the founders of the Supplementary Education Trust. He is devoted to the development of opportunities for poor and needy learners and believes that SET not only gives them a chance in life, but provides a vehicle whereby corporates and individuals can sponsor the learners to achieve senior school grades to equip them for further study at tertiary institutions.


“As the appointed service provider to SET, Star Schools’ innovative approach to e-learning gives learners more opportunities today than merely depending on school books,” says Dale. “Technology provides them with far greater access to methods of understanding and grasping the essence of the subject.


“So many vacancies today are filled by people who lack the appropriate skills and experience. By supporting SET, corporates and individuals are enabled to participate the growing quantum of educated and skilled candidates so necessary to meet the job vacancies that abound in South Africa.”

David Ndou (B-BBEE Specialist)


David has occupied positions at several leading corporations, including Standard Bank, Global Technologies, Temenos, TransUnion ITC and the National Empowerment Rating Agency (NERA). He is currently an executive at the Ardent group of companies, which comprises various subsidiaries:

  • Broad-based black economic empowerment verification and support services provider Ardent Business Partners;
  • IT services provider Ardent Technologies;
  • Consulting and training development company Ardent Business Solutions; and
  • Ardent Logistics, a freight and forwarding logistics company.

An advocate of confidence building and leadership skills development, David believes that corporate South Africa’s investment in the skills development of the future leaders of this country is imperative to the country’s continued economic development and wellbeing, and the only way to enhance its competence levels and international competitiveness.


“I would like to see all South Africans being afforded the opportunity to study in a society and environment free of challenges such as fees, hunger, transport, clothing and access to educational resources, including libraries and science laboratories,” he says. “A society that is educated and actively participating in the economic activities of the country leads to reduced levels of criminal activities, lower unemployment rates, better quality of life. All these promote improved productivity levels which benefit corporate South Africa. These are just some of the reasons why corporate South Africa must invest in the youth of today through skills development programmes such as those offered by the Supplementary Education Trust.”

Zubair Hoosen (accountant and tax practitioner)


Zubair is an accountant, tax practitioner and tax specialist.He provides audit, accounting, taxation, estate planning and other related services to clients involved in a wide range of activities, including manufacturing, retail, construction, services, import/export, property investments and investment holdings, through private companies and trusts.


Zubair obtained a BCompt degree in 2000 and completed his articles as a trainee accountant in 2003 at a large auditing firm in Rivonia, Johannesburg. After completing a BCompt (Honours) degree through UNISA in 2004, Zubair was admitted as a partner in his current accounting firm in 2006. He was accredited as a professional tax specialist (SA) in 2013 by the South African Institute of Professional Accountants, one of only 80 in South Africa at the time.


Zubair believes that while technology is an invaluable tool for learners, the potential for truly successful education of South African youth lies with its educators. His dream is to see learners with potential achieve top honours in the world and views the Supplementary Educational Trust as a perfect contributor to this goal. His motto is “Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave”.


Jenny Phillips (attorney)


As an attorney, conveyancer and tax practitioner, Jenny has extensive experience in advising charitable organisations on issues affecting their status as public benefit organisations and/or non-profit organisations.


Jenny has been a trustee of the Supplementary Education Trust since its inception. She has a keen interest in education and all the factors impacting the effective provision thereof, and renders services to numerous schools and educational trusts.


Jenny also provides legal advice and services to individuals and corporates in various fields, including contracts, tax, estate planning, exchange control regulations, labour relations and related issues.


Service Provider

To fulfil SET’s objectives the trustees have appointed Star Schools to provide tuition to selected learners through its educators, educational materials and technology. Where appropriate, Star Schools also assists in obtaining donations and sponsorships.


The administrative expenses incurred by SET in achieving its objectives are minimal, as Star Schools is able to identify poor and needy learners in the course of conducting its own activities and to perform a pro amico fund-raising service on behalf of SET, thus limiting the functions of the Board of Trustees to the essential management of the trust funds and monitoring the application thereof.


Star Schools submits quarterly reports to SET and its respective donors on the management of its programmes.


For more information on Star Schools and the programmes and services it provides, click here


Sponsors

SET seeks partnerships with organisations that share its passion for the education of poor and needy learners.


The following companies have donated to/sponsored the trust:


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