Garlandale High School's consumer studies classroom now ready for action

The consumer studies classroom has not been upgraded since the school's inception in 1982, and was in need of new equipment and facilities to better accommodate the over 105 learners who take consumer studies - a subject that allows them to pursue further studies in the hospitality field.

According to Heidi Edson, group socio economic development manager at Sun International's GrandWest, the renovation of the classroom included the purchase and installation of stoves, microwave ovens, a new freezer, new under-sink cupboards, new small appliances and utensils and a new fridge. "We have also installed a modern demonstration table with an overhead mirror to offer a better platform for the teacher to demonstrate methods and procedures to learners during classes. Various aesthetic improvements have also been made to the classroom, including a fresh coat of paint, new taps on the sinks and new countertops," she says.Work at the school was carried out by an enthusiastic team of GrandWest suppliers and service providers.

Garlandale High School is one of 10 schools benefiting from Sun International's nationwide Schools Renovations Programme in 2015. The Schools Renovation Programme is focused on upgrading hospitality classrooms at schools situated in underprivileged communities to properly equip learners for pursuing further studies and a career in the hospitality sector. This is important for attracting talent and nurturing skills in the sector, which like many sectors, is faced with a shortage of appropriate and qualified skills.

Edson explains that the renovation of Garlandale High School's consumer studies room is aligned with Sun International's approach to Creating Shared Value - a well-researched and globally applied model that focuses on aligning business needs with society's needs thereby creating shared value for all and genuine sustainable community development. "This programme not only provides opportunities for consumer studies learners to learn in a conducive and appropriately-equipped environment, but it will also ultimately offer our company a pool of qualified and employable people," adds Edson.

Garlandale High School is situated in the Garlandale area, close to the Athlone CBD, and currently has 852 learners enrolled. Although the school is located in Athlone, the learner population is drawn from across the broader Cape Flats area, including areas like Kewtown, Bridgetown, Bonteheuwel, Mitchell's Plain, Manenberg, Delft, Langa, Gugulethu and Khayelitsha.

The majority of learners are drawn from poverty stricken communities where social evils like drugs, gangsterism and violence is rife. In many cases, according to the school's principal, Mrs Dawn Crowie, the school is the only stable factor in the lives of the children. "It is our mission to ensure that all of our learners receive the best education possible as we believe that education is the only vehicle out of these circumstances. Often too many of our learners express the desire to take consumer studies as a subject because it allows them to enter the field of hospitality.

"As the Consumer Studies room has not been refurbished for over 30 years, teaching and learning is hindered due to lack of facilities. The upgraded classroom will help us to improve the quality of our consumer studies classes and ensure that our learners are adequately equipped," says Crowie.