It is often said that lack of career guidance and the gap between secondary and tertiary education are among the factors accounting for students being less motivated and underachieving at university. However, students at the UJ Academy (UJA) are fortunate that they are exposed to career options and first-hand experience of tertiary education while at the school level. It is for this reason that the academy has consistently achieved excellent matric results over the years.
Last year was not different, with the school achieving an impressive 97.74% overall pass rate for the Class of 2024. The results have been recognised in the Top Ten performing schools for in the Johannesburg Metropolitan district. The 2024 graduating class of Grade 12s (87 learners) achieved 80.46% Bachelor passes, and 125 Distinctions. The academy is the high school of the University of Johannesburg (UJ). Located in the suburb of Crosby, Mayfair, the school was established in 1992 by the then Rand Afrikaans University (RAU) in an effort to help learners from previously disadvantaged communities who excel in Mathematics and Science to enhance their skills in preparation for tertiary education.
According to the school principal, Mrs Rehana Jadine, the partnership with UJ is of enormous benefit as it helps improve the school’s academic programme in numerous ways. “The school is privileged to be invited to different university events which affords learners the opportunity to connect with the university and gives learners exposure to the world of higher education studies and possible career choices,” says Mrs Jadine. In addition to learners being invited to attend various faculty events at the university, they also have UJ staff members and international research collaborators addressing them on topics such as career choices, personal well-being, and new developments in the fields of mathematics and science.
Professor Nadine Petersen, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Education, is thrilled with the positive impact the university is making to the school. “As UJ we are particularly proud of the school’s Class of 2024 who achieved an impressive 97,74% Matric pass rate, with 80,46% of learners achieving admission to a Bachelors degree and 125 distinctions in total. This is particularly remarkable considering that these learners entered the important transition year into high school in Grade 8 at the start of the pandemic and for two years, had interrupted schooling and curriculum trimming to enable them to complete the school year,” she says. “Their individual achievements are thus worthy of much celebration.
Prof Nadine adds that if the combined efforts of the university, the dedication of their teachers and the interventions put into place by officials in the DBE (Department of Basic Education and PEDs (Provincial Education Departments) that enabled this achievement. Additionally, as the UJ Academy admits learner from disadvantaged backgrounds, UJ notes the increases in the number of Bachelor admission passes from learners in the school – we look forward to welcoming many of them into the UJ family as first years in 2025 and supporting them in fulfilling their dreams.”
The Faculty of Education provides input into the school in terms of its development as a Gauteng Education Department School of Specialisation. The success of the school is also a testament to the power of private-public partnership. In 2024, Mr Sizwe Nxasana, CEO and Founder of Sifiso Learning Group, invited the school to join a collaboration network to support the development of Mathematics, Entrepreneurship and Project Based Learning, Personal Mastery and Multi-certification as part of its role as a school of specialisation. In addition, the Faculty of Health Sciences conducts assessments related to optometry, podiatry, and general health. The UJA Trust, which the UJ Chief Financial Officer chairs, provides financial assistance to the school and the Executive Deans of the Faculty of Education and Faculty of Science, Prof Petersen and Prof Annah Moteetee serve on the Trust Board.
Prof Petersen lauded the Ministry of Basic Education for underscoring the importance of solid foundations in the early years of education, especially for mathematics and literacy education. “UJ has long promoted the view that the foundational knowledge established in early childhood sets the tone for children’s academic achievement in later years and the university was instrumental in establishing the Funda UJabule School on its Soweto campus in 2010 collaboration with the Gauteng Education Department to support teacher education and research for the primary school. We have been leaders in promoting the strengthening of foundation phase education and actively work towards elevating the status of primary school teachers.”
Prof Sehaam Khan, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic, is thrilled with the achievement of the school. “The remarkable achievements of the UJ Academy Class of 2024 are a testament to the power of partnerships and the shared commitment to nurturing talent. UJ is proud to support school in its mission to provide transformative education.”
Says Prof Letlhokwa Mpedi, the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of UJ. “The UJ Academy is one of our pioneering and flagship projects to help learners from previously disadvantaged communities in the critical areas of Maths and Science. Through this, we help improve their knowledge and skills in preparation for tertiary education and for their future careers. Congratulations to all the learners, the teachers and our academics for this outstanding achievement.”
