Worley, a global provider of professional services company in the energy, chemicals and resources sectors donated 177 scientific calculators to Engen Maths and Science (EMSS) learners who attend the Fairvale EMSS centre for extra tuition in maths, science and English every Saturday. 

The Casio FX-82ZA Plus II Scientific Calculators will allow learners to work more efficiently on mathematical and science problems.

Attending the official hand-over, Dr James Nyawera, Engen's Manager: Transformation and Stakeholder Engagement thanked Worley for its generous donation which he said will empower South Durban EMSS learners to excel in STEM subjects.  

“We have a long-standing relationship with Worley which is very important to us. Over the years we have worked together on various projects and refurbishments,” added Nyawera.

In a further development, Engen will also be providing new uniforms and stationery to all learners who attend its ten Engen Maths and Science School across South Africa.

“This contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals specifically SDG 4 – ensuring the right to quality education through basic needs by enabling learners to focus on their studies and attend school with dignity” comments Nyawera.

Fairvale Secondary School is home to one of four Engen Maths and Science Schools (EMSS) which are based in the South Durban area (the others sit at Ganges High School, Hillview High School and Umlazi Commercial High School).

The EMSS’s have run for over 35 years, and offer underprivileged grade 10-12 learners free supplementary Maths, Science and English tuition on Saturdays.

The EMSS programme announced a record breaking 96.7% pass rate in 2022 of which 73.6% achieved bachelor passes; achieved despite learners being suffering over 200 days of power cuts and being amongst the hardest hit by the pandemic when it broke in 2020 in their Grade 10 year. 

“These impressive results affirm the crucial role that the Engen supported supplementary maths and science programme plays,” adds Nyawera. 

Nyawera says the future of our country rests in the quality of education that we provide our youth, which is why Engen is actively involved in making a positive difference. 

“Starting off in the late 1980’s as Engen Saturday Schools, EMSS remains central to Engen’s efforts to contribute to the growth and transformation of South Africa,” continues Nyawera. 

“The programme has worked tirelessly to help transform young underprivileged people’s lives, with a focus on creating a diverse and vibrant workforce.”

EMSS centres are located across the country, including Cape Town (classes are held at Belgravia and Manzomthombo High), Port Elizabeth, East London, Cala and Johannesburg, and in KwaZulu-Natal where classes sit at Fairvale High School, Ganges High School, Hillview High School and Umlazi Commercial High School.