23 February 2007
Welcoming four Dutch students and their lecturer at Charlton Primary School
last night, 22 February 2007, KwaZulu-Natal Education Department MEC Ina Cronje
praised the successful partnership between the farmers in the Bonaparte area,
the Babo Teacher College in the Netherlands, businesses, the media in Education
Trust and the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education.
"This is an excellent example of how people have worked together in the
interest of our children," she said.
The Dutch teacher college has been sending final year Dutch students for the
past three years. Their annual visit followed an invitation by one of the
farmers. This year they will assist teachers in scarce subjects at six farm
schools in the Kokstad area. In their two week stay at each school they will
also assist with sport coaching and provide learners with books, learner
material and sport equipment, which can be used after they have left.
Charlton Primary School was founded when farmer Piet Lauwrens and his wife
Anne donated their house to be used as a school to the department. Together
with six farmers in the Bonaparte area three more classrooms were built. The
school has 163 learners and also offers Adult Basic Education Training.
The school has also become a resource centre for other neighbouring farm
schools, after a media centre was donated by BP and 11 computers were donated
by MTN. The Media in Education Trust (MiET) offers assistance at the
centre.
Commenting on the assistance of the Dutch students, primary principal Wanda
Mkhize praised the initiative. "Learners get another aspect of education from
another country. They provide us with sport material and teaches learners
different sports codes."
Learners were jubilant by the mathematics material they have received from
the Dutch students, as well as the guitar that is used in Arts and Culture
lessons.
Enquiries:
Christi Naude
Tel: (033) 355 2453
Fax: (033) 342 0275
Cell: 083 262 8829
Issued by: Department of Education, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial
Government
23 February 2007
