Eastern Cape Education on disadvantaged learners

23 February 2009

Fifty underprivileged learners, amongst them orphaned learners as well, from
Xolani Senior Secondary School were presented with brand new schooling gear
during a surprise visit by an education official at the school this
morning.

After visiting the school last year amidst an unfortunate incident following
the death of a learner, Deputy Chief Education Specialist Cecilia Osei-Agyakwa
heeded the plight of the learners and vowed to assist whenever possible.

According to Osei-Agyakwa, some of the children had painful backgrounds,
while a few others were also heading their families and had nobody to turn to
for assistance.

“Subsequent to a visit I made to the school last year when a learner had
committed suicide, I realised that some of these children were carrying a lot
of baggage and with no one to talk to. So I took upon myself to try and make
their lives a bit better by assisting wherever I can,” said Osei-Agyakwa.

Whilst shopping for as much school shoes as she could afford to give to the
orphaned learners during the holiday in January, Osei-Agyakwa says she got more
than she bargained for.

“One lady approached me wanting to know why I was buying so many black pairs
of shoes and I said why. She immediately pledged her support as well and a week
later I got this sealed box delivered at my house and she said I should give to
my children,” conveyed Osei-Agyakwa.

With a box filled with the goods to be donated, the unsuspecting learners
were called to assembly during a tea break and the learners on the list were
handed backpacks containing stationery for their use. For Grade 11 learner
Bulelwa Klaas, receiving the backpack couldn’t have come at a better time.

“When you have a mother who is unemployed like mine who can’t afford to buy
you the school things that you need, it’s sometimes difficult to deal with it
mentally and emotionally. I’m grateful for the backpack because it means that I
will not seem different from other children,” said Klaas.

With her enthusiasm lifted by this little gift, Klaas vowed to do well in
her studies. “I am at school because that is where I should be and that is
where I want to be,” she added.

According to school headmaster Maxhoba Mbane, most of the children are
coming from the nearby Sweetwaters settlement where “most parents are either
unemployed or doing meagre earning jobs.”

“The backpack donation is a life changing experience and exercise for our
learners. If they can be excited over a school bag imagine if it was something
bigger,” said Mbane.

On behalf of the school, Mbane expressed his gratitude. ”It’s very rare to
witness someone delivering on their promises and it is with sincere gratitude
and humbling to know that at least there is someone listening,” said Mbane.

Issued by: Eastern Cape Provincial Government
23 February 2009
Source: Department of Education, Eastern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.ecdoe.gov.za)