Biko Legacy Classes

Another critical component of SBFs social development interventions is in the area of education. Currently, Steve Biko is a part of the school curriculum for grades 4, 9, 11 and 12; Biko also frequently appears on the matric exam. These factors make hosting students an integral part of the Foundations educational program. To facilitate these visits, SBF has developed Biko Legacy Lectures, which teachers book to bring their classes to in advance. During these lectures, an SBF program officer details relevant aspects of Bikos life and the Black Consciousness Movement according to the requirements of the class. Students are also provided with worksheets that are then discussed in order to create an interactive environment. Due to numerous requests for this intervention in Cape Town, SBF partnered with the Baxter Theatre to facilitate Biko Legacy Lectures for previously disadvantaged students from Khayelitsha High School. A total of 120 students and five teachers attended these classes. SBF is further exploring the possibility of regularly hosting such sessions in other provinces given the demand for the subject matter and the resource constraints that prevent many schools from visiting the Center.

The Steve Biko Legacy Classes attract schools from around the Eastern Cape Province to the Centre

Giant in Him
In addition to visiting the Biko Heritage Trail, schools also have the option of booking a performance of Giant in Him. Giant in Him is an original production of the Foundation. It is based on the role played by Steve Biko and the Black Consciousness Movement in the South African Liberation Struggle. Performed by Abelusi, the story is told through the mediums of song, dance and audio-visual materials. SBF has further created a DVD of the production that will be distributed from FY2014 to schools that are unable to visit the Centre. During FY2013, SBF hosted 75 schools and a total of 5,265 studentsa significant increase from the 2,450 students in FY2012. As a result of SBFs education interventions, a number of schools have reported seeing a dramatic improvement in their pass rates. As noted in Appendix F Imingcangathelo High School in Alice has experienced an increase in the pass rate in 12th grade history from 57% to 84%.

LTSM Development & Distribution

In addition to these interventions, SBF has continued to distribute Learner and Teacher Support Materials (LTSMs) developed during prior financial years. These products include: Biko: Quest for a True Humanity: Exhibition Book with work books for students and answer keys for teachers; Voices of Women: DVD of the production accompanied by lesson plans and classroom exercises; Steve Biko: A comic book for primary school students on the life of the late activist.

History Comes Alive Teachers Seminar

One of the programs SBF piloted during FY2012 was the History Comes Alive Seminar for Eastern Cape teachers. The intention of the program was to better equip grade 12 history educators to better teach the subject. In developing the initiative, SBF partnered with the office of the Provincial History Planner, Ms. Yolisa Nciza and the Amathole Museum. The primary objectives of the day were to provide: History teachers with an opportunity to experience firsthand the many heritage sites in and around King Williams Town An opportunity for educators to share their successes and challenges in teaching the subject matter

An introduction to the office of the provincial history planner and its offerings

History Teachers Visiting the EC Legislature

Teachers Paying Their Respects at Bikos Grave

Twenty teachers, some from as far as Butterworth, participated in the pilot and responded positively to the initiative. In evaluating the program, participants requested that in the future the program take place over to three days and that subject advisors from each district also be invited to participate.