Away from the #FeesMustFall protest, Peermont has quietly been funding students for full bursaries for tertiary education for the past 14 years.<\/p>\n
A total of 13 lucky candidates have been awarded the prestigious bursary from the Peermont Education Trust (PET) this year and have registered to study a wide variety of courses including, actuarial science, mechanical engineering, business management and law.<\/p>
The final recipients were selected from hundreds of applicants and had to make it through a stringent selection process, as well as a nerve-wracking interview with a panel of judges.<\/p>\n
In addition to having their tuition and accommodation costs paid, these fortunate students attend workshops and receive psychological support to sustain them through the academic year.<\/p>
\u201cOver the years we have found that we are able to increase our graduation rate by offering students additional support throughout the year.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe do not just leave them to their own devices,\u201d said trust manager Jenny Findlay.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo this end the trust has an 86 per cent graduation rate.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is exceptional considering that the students are from township schools.\u201d<\/p>\n
Among the \u201cClass of 2016\u201d who received scholarships is Kgomotso Dibetso, a former Germiston High School pupil.<\/p>\n
The youngster, who lives in Katlehong, has been studying law at Wits and, thanks to the trust, can go into her third year without any financial concerns.<\/p>\n
For Kgomotso and her fellow bursars the Peermont Education Trust scholarship offers an opportunity of a lifetime, not only to improve their prospects, but that of their families, as they all come from the previously disadvantaged areas of Ekurhuleni with many from vulnerable backgrounds.<\/p>\n
This was highlighted by one of this year\u2019s bursars, Katlego Dipholo, who commented at the induction of the students at Emperors Palace on Monday, January 25, \u201cDespite the circumstances that I have overcome, namely not having a stable family structure, moving from one foster home to another, abuse, and dire financial and nutritional needs, I still maintained a good track record.\u201d<\/p>\n
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