Hundreds of needy learners benefit from KwaZulu-Natal Legislature’s back to school programme
More than 500 underprivileged learners will now go to school in full uniform thanks to a corporate social responsibility programme run by the Office of the Speaker in the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature. The programme, which aims to lessen the burden among the neediest of communities, where the brunt of poverty is most severely felt, is currently being rolled out in different parts of the province. Education stakeholders, including parents and governing bodies have showered the programme with praise, saying that the provision of uniform packs to deserving children would foster a sense of pride and belonging among needier pupils, thus boosting their self-esteem.
The uniform packs (shoes, socks, trousers, shirts, jerseys and ties) were handed over to schools by the KZN Legislature Speaker, Hon Nontembeko Boyce and her Deputy, Hon Mluleki Ndobe.
“Our back to school programme which coincided with the start of the 2020 academic year has been a resounding success. When we conceptualized this programme we underestimated the impact, it would have on the recipients and their parents. We are overwhelmed by the positive feedback from parents and teachers of the beneficiaries. It is self-evident that our gesture has had a good bearing on learners’ performance. It is an established fact that absenteeism from school is often attributed to the lack of school uniforms,” said Hon Boyce.
Boyce also added that the provision of school uniforms to needy learners was also part of the legislature’s education programme of monitoring the functionality of schools. And that the legislature is working closely with the Department of Education to ensure that our schools have enough teachers, adequate infrastructure and are safe environment s for learning and teaching to take place
Schools that were visited:
- Umuziwabantu Local municipality: Hafuleni High school.
- Ray Nkonyeni Local Municipality: Mkhandi Primary School
- Umzimkhulu Local Municipality: Ibisi Secondary School, Rietvlei Junior Secondary School, Izwelibanzi Junior Secondary School.
- Ethekwini Metropolitan Municipality: Clairewood Secondary School, Durban South Primary School
