The inaugural phase of a school remedial programme, called the Wellness Relay, has been launched at Deben Primary School, situated in the Gamagara local municipality, as an extension of the Ubuntu School Project.
The programme aims to identify barriers to learning and recommend remedial action or therapy, to ensure learners can overcome them, whilst supporting parents and educators.
“Learning barriers negatively impact on the performance of learners in the classroom, and at home. These barriers often lead to poor academic performance, disruptions in the classroom and often violent behaviour towards educators, peers and parents,” said Veronique Isaacs, the Regional Community Operations Manager at Renewable Energy Investments South Africa (REISA).
REISA has been implementing the Ubuntu School Project since June 2017, with the appointment of a full-time social worker dedicated to supporting learners, educators and parents. With the social worker’s extensive engagements with learners and educators, the challenge of learning barriers was brought to light. These barriers relate to hearing, sight, language and anxiety.
“A small mind-shift can be noticed with regard to school attendance and discipline in the classroom. Real change will require regular and focused interventions by specialists, made available with the assistance of the Wellness Relay, and remedial learning – something our school and community is in great need of. We are very excited about the interventions of REISA. We think that with this support, all educators will ultimately have a better understanding of how to approach the learners and provide them with support,” said grade 6 educator, Jennifer Louw.
In addition to the various specialists providing services at the launch, assistance from social workers from the Department of Social Development and the South African Defence Force was enlisted to support and assist all parents in understanding the conditions of their children.
It is envisaged that 727 learners with learning barriers will be reached over a 3 months period. Thus, the project will be implemented through a “relay” approach with each specialist handing over to the next one after completing their “service marathon”. This approach will ensure that the school curriculum is not disrupted and that the specialists are able to work in a conducive environment to assess all learners.
The launch took place on 18 July 2018 as a memorial celebration for the late former President Nelson Mandela – known for his strong convictions about education and the future of the children of our nation. This is an additional initiative under the existing Ubuntu School Project targeting the overall functionality of schools.
Schools that will be incorporated over the three month period include Gamagara High School and Deben Primary School (Deben), Maikaelelo Primary School and Langeberg High School (Olifantshoek) and Sishen Intermediate Mine School (Sesheng).
“There is often a profound emotional impact on a child whose academic performance is hampered by an auditory processing and visual motor disorder. These are two of the most important skills required for academic success – particularly for reading,” concluded Ms Isaacs.
TM Communications
