Research has shown that when children begin their education earlier, they grow up more intelligent, capable and successful. While pre-school, and more specifically grade R, in South Africa is not compulsory, the government has taken these findings seriously and plans to make grade R compulsory.
For some time now, Rotary clubs across South Africa have worked to improve the situation at poorer pre-schools. Many found that once the teachers were properly trained, the support networks and participation from the parents developed. Members of the Rotary Club of Hilton and Howick feel that, “the sooner we start implementing these long term solutions to improve education, the sooner we will see the results in our communities,” explains president Maurice Wilkinson.
“Our conscience won’t let us stand by and watch the suffering continue. When you go to the poorer schools we support, you see how desperately the parents want their children to receive the best – but sadly, that is not what they can afford.”
However, says Wilkinson, “The teachers at these schools are an inspiration in themselves. What they can’t buy, they make. What they don’t know, they try their best to learn. We all know that tertiary education is expensive and, sadly, that makes it an impossible dream for many of these teachers.”
The Rotary Club of Hilton and Howick’s members have thus embarked on a project to train early childhood development teachers over the next few years. The course the club chose, in partnership with Caversham Institute, will not only equip the teachers but will ensure that their qualifications are recognised. Courses offered by Caversham Institute are recognised by the South African Qualifications Authority and the teachers trained in this project will receive an NQF5 qualification in early childhood development after two years of study.
The project will begin early next year when the first five teachers start their studies at Caversham Institute. It will be staggered over the next few years with a cumulative minimum total of 25 teachers being trained at a projected cost of around R700,000.
Fundraising began at the beginning of the year, but sponsorship and contributions are still needed towards funding these bursaries. “We still need to raise just under R50,000 in order to let the first five start their first year of study in January. However, the more we raise, the more we educate,” explains Wilkinson.
Organisations or individuals who would like to contribute and help the club reach its target can request the club’s banking details from Maurice Wilkinson at az.oc.srepyam@ofni or Howard Richardson at ten.acirfabulc@rdrawoh.
