Despite missed school days and the added stress of lockdown, Engen Maths and Science (EMSS) learner, Nikita Perumal achieved an 85% average for matric. 

An alumnus of Arena Park Secondary School in South Durban, Nikita achieved 86% for English and 84% for both Maths and Science.  Nikita attended the EMSS free supplementary programme at Fairvale Secondary School and scooped the top spot at the centre.

The Chatsworth local plans to study Mechanical Engineering at UKZN Howard College this year.  

“I want to qualify as a mechanical engineer and then branch off into Aviation Engineering,” says Nikita. 

Nikita says she is lucky to come from a small and joyful family who are all career driven. 

“That same work ethic has permeated into my approach to life. My philosophy is to always consider how my actions today will affect the actions that happen tomorrow. Like everyone, I want to achieve my dreams, but I want to go even further than that and create a legacy.” 

Her advice for the matric students of 2021 is not to let fear take hold of you. 

“This is your last year of schooling, so make memories and mistakes but keep your main focus on giving it all you’ve got in your finals,” she adds. 

Nikita, says attending Engen Maths and Science School classes in grade 11 and 12 helped her better understand certain sections and opened her up to new methods and a broader social circle.  

“EMSS encourages simple yet effective ways of grasping complex topics, which boosted my confidence.” 

The long-running Engen Maths and Science School programme offers supplementary Maths, Science and English tuition to underprivileged grade 10-12 learners.  

Saturday classes are held at nine locations across South Africa, including: Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, East London, Cala and Johannesburg, and in KwaZulu-Natal at Fairvale High School, Ganges High School, Howard College, and Mangosuthu University of Technology. 

The 2020 Engen Maths and Science School matric class attained an impressive 84% overall pass rate of which 63% attained bachelor passes, versus the broader South African matric pass rate of 76.2%.  

Engen’s General Manager: Corporate Strategy and Communications, Khalid Latiff explains that the EMSS programme focuses specifically on providing extra tuition in “gateway” subjects such as mathematics and science, which are considered critical in addressing the country’s technical and engineering skills shortage as well as spurring economic growth and development.  

“The EMSS programme seeks to harness the potential of talented young people in difficult circumstances and to contribute to the pool of scarce skills in the country,” comments Latiff. 

“Starting off as Engen Saturday Schools over 30 years ago, Engen Maths and Science Schools are central to our skills development efforts and to help build the human capital of the future.  

“The programme has worked tirelessly to transform young lives and has, we believe, made a meaningful contribution to a more transformed and vibrant South African workforce.” 

Latiff says the company is incredibly proud of Nikita Perumal and all the learners who completed matric in 2020, especially under a difficult set of circumstances. 

“Our ultimate reward is to help set them all up to pursue stimulating careers that won’t only benefit them personally, but also the broader macro economy of South Africa. 

Engen, congratulates Nikita and the Engen Maths and Science School class of 2020 and offers a well-deserved round of applause to all the learners and teachers. 

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