Celebrating a milestone
Tswelopelea Nursery School, an Angelo informal settlement-based nursery school, held a graduation ceremony on Saturday, November 30.
This was a big day for the 32 Grade R children who have successfully completed their school readiness programme in 2013, and they will be heading to primary schools next year.
The children, who are leaving the nursery school to primary schools, enjoyed a graduation party, full of fun and delicious food at the school, before being presented with certificates and leaving gifts.
The talented graduates from the school got the ball rolling with their demonstration of the skills they have acquired during their time at the school, showcased their singing and dancing talents in front of their parents, teachers, volunteers and friends.
It was amazing to see all the graduates going on stage. Parents that attended felt very proud about themselves and their children.
Following their performance each child dressed in a graduation cap and gown and received their very first academic certificate highlighting their sense of achievement, during their time at the school.
It was a sad and happy moment, for the staff. Some of the children have been at the nursery since they were five months old, and to see them actually graduating was overwhelming for all of the staff members.
According to the school’s HOD, Happy Mkhatshwa (well-known as Make-Masilele), the school teaches children in ways that will enable them to succeed and excel in formal education.
“These children have been guided through appropriate training programmes and activities, which have enhanced their performance and positively shaped their perspective to life.
“At Tswelopelea Nursery School we plant seeds that we trust will help our children grow into strong and successful adults in their future.”
The school plays a vital role in the development of this community and the children identify it as a place of security and happiness.
At present, the well equipped crèche cares for 144 children who get breakfast, lunch and receive early childhood education.
The school consists of four teachers, run by community members and is sponsored by Birchwood Hotel as one of its community service project.
In the informal settlement, this school is one of the few centres supporting health, education and safety of the children of the impoverished area.
However, although all children have the right to a safety, health, and education, there are still hundreds of children who have no access to education and other basic needs.
There is also a substantial amount of children not attending school for a host of reasons, and thus, there is a reasonably high rate of illiteracy amongst parents and children alike.
Over the years many homeless people have moved onto the site seeking a place to pitch their shelter. The area is now an official informal settlement with thousands of corrugated iron and wooden shacks accommodating the thousands of families that battle with the harsh winter seasons and the rainy season.
Despite these harsh living conditions, the residents call this place “home”.
Many of the inhabitants are single, young parents who leave their little ones to be taken care of by neighbours or young girls (as young as 10 years) are not attending school.
Those that do attend school, either go to the local expensive schools or commute to the nearby townships, where the school fees are reasonable and where schools teach African languages.
