2 September 2007
Friday was a day of jubilation at Bheka Phambili in Lamontville, south of
Durban. The addition of four new classrooms and five toilets has brought an end
to serious overcrowding in the primary school, which was the result of more
people moving to the informal settlement on its doorstep.
KwaZulu-Natal Education MEC Ina Cronje, who officially opened the new
infrastructure, praised the school for its inclusive policy that makes
education accessible to all people. "Thank you for taking a lead in assisting
our children, who have been affected by HIV and AIDS. I am aware that you have
many homeless children in your school. Children living off the streets are also
our children and where there are no mothers and fathers at home our teachers
become the mothers and the fathers. A school then becomes a home from home.
That sense of belonging is extremely important to our children."
She said the Department of Education is challenged with a very high number
of orphans and thanked the grandmothers for the important role they play in
raising their grand children. "I fully agree with the school governing body
chairwoman that our parents have to instil values at home."
"Parents have a very big responsibility. Children need to know their
boundaries. It gives them a sense of security. Although they kick against it
they must know they cannot come home at any time of the day or night as they
wish. Our most important job is to give our children quality education. It is
also our duty and pleasure to unlock all potential inside our children. What I
have seen here today is an example of exactly that."
The school's logo of "Phambili nemfundo" � "Forward with education" will go
from strength to strength with the additional infrastructure, as well as a
library book bonus of R5 000 from the department.
Issued by: Department of Education, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial
Government
2 September 2007
