The Epoch and Optima trusts were founded by Anglo American and are managed by Tshikululu Social Investments.
The trusts support three different areas:
- The Maths Challenge Programme exists to increase the number of students taking mathematics as a subject, as well as improve learners’ performance in mathematics. This programme supports and sponsors a number of schools with various interventions.
- The Primary School Programme aims to create a pipeline, so that primary school learners continue to take maths into high school. As part of this project, Epoch and Optima Trust works with Zenex Foundation and the Department of Basic Education on the Early Grade Mathematic Project (EGMP) from 2021 to 2023. The project seeks to build effective interventions into improving teaching and learning of mathematics in the Foundation Phase. The project is heavily focused on research to support evidence-based interventions for teaching mathematics.
- The Teacher Learnership programme aims to attract prospective high school teachers and equip them with skills, training and mentorship. More top-quality teachers should increase learners’ school performance.
