Demonstrating her on-going commitment to addressing the challenges in education, MEC Pemmy Majodina handed over school uniforms and sanitary towels to school learners as part of the Back to School Campaign at Tsomo in the Chris Hani District.
The campaign is meant to reach out to children that are in need and motivates them as they steady themselves to negotiate the academic year ahead. Speaking at the event the MEC said the department wants to ensure that children at primary school level are given the best start in life by being well cared for, protected and provided with early learning development.
“As a department we are at the centre of building a caring society that meets the needs and aspirations of its people, everything in the service of government is social development. I was an orphan myself; going to school barefoot is such a painful experience for me. I started wearing shoes when I was in Std 5 (Grade 7). I understand the plight of these children. That is why as a department we felt imperative that a conscious effort be developed to assist school going children in order to enhance and harness their ability to attend school,” MEC said.
She appealed to everyone who might know of someone who is in need of assistance with school uniforms not to hesitate to approach the department’s offices for help.” For early development to make a difference there should be a joint effort between parents, the community and the government. Children from disadvantaged background often end up in a tragic cycle that leads to poor school performance,” she added.
Voicing his gratitudes, beneficiary Sive Penisi, a grade 7 leaner at Zakhele JS School said some learners will stop making fun of him because of his torn shoes and trousers. “I was a laughing stock at school, they used to say “ndinxibe oopexe” (I am wearing torn shoes) but now that I have this new uniform, they will stop teasing me and calling me names,” he said.
The IntsikaYethu Mayor Cllr K.Vimbayo also voiced out her support for the campaign. “The back to school campaign helps to ensure that children succeed in attaining the best possible results and setting their high standards. A lack of self-confidence to learners often leads to poor school performance, which ultimately means as adults they end up in unskilled jobs, earning bottom wage.”
So far the department has handed over 4 080 uniforms to learners to four of the seven districts targeting 6 030 learners across the province. The package comprises of shoes, jerseys, trousers, socks and tunic for girls. Sanitary towels for girls form part of the package.
The MEC also handed out t-shirts, calendars and sanitary towels to members of the community who attended the event. This year the department has set aside an amount of R3, 9 million for the back to school campaign.
