The beginning of a school year is supposed to be a happy time for children. Some get a chance to explore the world of schooling for the first time in their lives; some are excited because they are starting a new grade; while others look forward to exploring life as senior school goers.
However, for children from poor households the excitement of the beginning of a school year can quickly be replaced by a feeling of despair because their families cannot afford schooling necessities.
While many South Africans take it for granted that they can provide necessities like school uniform for their children, the situation is very different for poor households who struggle to put food on their tables, let alone buy school uniform.
On Saturday, February 13, the Minister for Social Development – Ms Bathabile Dlamini – will bring together a number of schools from Gugulethu and Langa, Cape Town, to spread some cheer by handing out school uniform packs to children from poor households.
Minister Dlamini says access to uniform for children from poor households plays a significant role in improving their academic outcomes.
“When children from poor households go to school wearing old and ragged uniform, or when they don’t have it at all, they feel dejected. Some even choose not to go to school! A proper uniform makes a child feel confident and that they belong because there is no apparent difference between themselves and other children. This puts them at ease and they are then able to focus on learning,” explains Minister Dlamini.
The provision of school uniform packs is done as part of the Department’s Social Relief of Distress (SRD) programme, mandated by the Social Assistance Act of 2004. Regulation 16A of the Social Assistance Act obliges the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) – an agency of the Department of Social Development – to provide social relief of distress to poor families.
The distribution of school uniform to children also creates an opportunity for parents and guardians of children who do not receive social assistance but qualify, to apply for government support in the form of the Child Support Grant (CSG).
Between January and December 2015 14859 uniform packs were distributed to disadvantaged school children across the country. The school uniform pack consist of three pairs of socks, two tunics or skirts for girl children and two pairs of shorts or trousers for boys. The uniform pack also comes with a jersey, a tie and two shirts per child. They are sourced from sewing cooperatives within communities.
This is one of many programmes being implemented by the Department as new and speedier ways to meet the social needs of the poorest communities in the country through the department’s service delivery improvement initiative, Project Mikondzo.
The schools to be benefit include Stormont Madubela Primary School, Intshinga Primary School, Zimasa Primary School, Lwazi Primary School, Vuyani Primary School, Siyabulela Primary School, and Sivuyiseni Primary School.
Members of the media are invited to attend and cover the ceremony, which will take place as follows:
Date: 13 February 2016
Time: 10h00
Venue: Isilimela Comprehensive School, Washington Road, Langa, Cape Town
Media can RSVP by contacting Mr Jaconia Kobue - 073 026 1111 / jaconiak@dsd.gov.za or Justice Ditshego - 079 4977426 / justiced@dsd.gov.za
Media inquiries may be directed to:
Lumka Oliphant
Cell: 083 484 8067
E-mail: lumkao@dsd.gov.za
