PHOLA — A new community learning centre aimed at strengthening academic performance from Grade 1 through to matric has opened in Phola, offering extra classes, homework assistance and targeted exam preparation.
Local response to classroom pressure
The initiative, Lindo’s Learning Hub, was started by 22-year-old Lindobuhle Mohlala, a University of the Free State graduate with a Bachelor of Education specialising in Accounting and Business Studies. Mohlala said she founded the hub after noticing learners struggling to keep up in overcrowded classrooms and needing more time for individual attention.
The programme currently supports around 20 learners and caters for pupils from Grade 1 through Grade 12, with a particular emphasis on matric students preparing for final examinations. Subjects on offer include accounting, economics, business studies, mathematical literacy and economic and management sciences (EMS).
Why the hub was created
Mohlala described the hub as a space where learners can gain extra practice, ask questions at their own pace and build confidence through focused support. She said the model responds to the reality that not all learners progress at the same speed and that additional help outside school hours can improve participation and results.
“Not every learner learns at the same pace. Extra support gives them more time to ask questions, practise, and get individual attention. It can make a big difference in their confidence and academic performance,”
The hub provides both subject tuition and study skills guidance, aiming to strengthen learners’ ability to study independently as well as perform better in continuous assessment and final exams.
Early challenges and community trust
Starting the hub has not been without obstacles. Mohlala said raising awareness and winning the trust of parents and learners were the biggest initial hurdles. She has been managing most of the responsibilities herself — from lesson planning and teaching to communication and organising activities.
Nevertheless, the founder reports encouraging progress: learners are becoming more engaged in class and showing improved confidence. That local momentum has helped sustain the pilot group of learners while Mohlala continues outreach to attract more participants.
- Age of founder: 22
- Beneficiaries: Approximately 20 learners
- Grades served: 1–12, with focus on matric
- Key subjects: Accounting, Economics, Business Studies, Mathematical Literacy, EMS
What the hub offers and what comes next
The hub provides focal academic support that complements public schooling. For matric learners, targeted revision and exam techniques form part of the curriculum, while younger learners receive foundational support to strengthen numeracy and literacy that underpin future subject choices.
Mohlala has expressed a commitment to expanding the hub’s reach, though she acknowledged that growing the programme sustainably will require community buy-in and additional support. She hopes that successful outcomes among current learners will help convince more parents to enrol their children.
| Area | Details |
|---|---|
| Founder | Lindobuhle Mohlala (22), BEd (Accounting & Business Studies) |
| Current learners | About 20 |
| Subjects | Accounting, Economics, Business Studies, Mathematical Literacy, EMS |
| Grades | 1–12 (focus on matric) |
In communities like Phola, where school resources can be stretched and class sizes large, grassroots initiatives such as Lindo’s Learning Hub can play a complementary role by offering personalised attention and study support. As the hub seeks to grow, its early results will be watched by parents and educators keen to see whether targeted after-school programmes can lift attainment and confidence among learners in the area.
Practical note: Parents interested in learning more about extra tuition options for their children should ask at their local school for information on community-based programmes or contact the hub directly when details become available through community noticeboards and school newsletters.
