No stigma clinging to school
2007-01-25
David Joshua
DRIVE through Southern Paarl, turn left from the old N1-road onto the Simondium Road (R45) and when you pass under the railway bridge, you’ll come to the entrance of Paarl School of Skills on the left near Paarl Brickfields.
The school is situated on nine hectares of land in the heart of the Cape Winelands, and opened its doors in January 2001.
“Our school caters for the special needs of learners who did not achieve or progress in the mainstream schools.
This, together with being close to the old, now defunct Simondium Prison, may have given rise to the false perception that the school caters for problem children and the accompanying stigma attached to it,” says energetic principal Sakhiwo Matiwane.
The prison buildings are rented out to the Department of Water Affairs.
“I want to extend an invitation to the business sector to become more involved with the school,” says Matiwane.
“We are attempting to teach children skills that will allow them to enter the labour market and to take their rightful place in the economy.”
Subjects offered are plumbing, building, metalwork, woodwork and arts and craft, with needlework and catering also being offered for the girls. Basic literacy is included in the curriculum, as is computer literacy and computer aided remediation.
The school has a capacity of 200 learners with 14 educators and 12 administrative staff members delivering service, with just as long a waiting list of learners wishing to enroll.
Matiwane adds that learners are drawn from a wide geographical radius and four buses are used to transport them daily to and from the school. Learners are also encouraged to participate in sports and to compete with other schools.
Winter sport codes are rugby, soccer, netball and basketball, with tennis, athletics and cricket offered in summer.
In October 2005 a Khanya Computer Laboratory was opened, adding a valuable addition to the learning programme. At year-ends, the school hosts an open day for the community.
Being a festive occasion refreshments are sold and learners receive certificates for achievement during the year.
Projects and articles made in the workshops are on display and are for sale.
At the recent annual kite festival, the school took top honours.
Contact Sakhiwo Matiwane at the school on 021-863-2043, fax 021-863-2044 or e-mail smatiwane@psos.wcape.school.za.
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