Schools stationery quest could unite town – Mabizela

As pupils received the first batch of stationery collected in the Gadra Education donation drive, a prominent Grahamstown figure has lent his weight to the campaign.

On Tuesday morning the first batch of books and pencils collected from the stationery donation drive was handed over to pupils of NV Cewu and Tantyi public primary schools. Now every foundation phase pupil in these two Section 20 schools owns one pencil and one workbook.

The provincial department of education has still not delivered the stationery supplies to which all Section 20 schools are entitled. One book and one pencil might not seem like much, but judging by the delight of the 208 children at NV Cewu, gathered in a courtyard, who burst into song as their teachers started handing them out, it meant a lot to them.

Principal, Anele Ndyolashe, said, "Kids were suffering without stationery. The teachers too. Now at least they have some stuff to use." All the 149 foundation phase pupils at Tantyi were given a pencil and a writing book, and the children at St Mary's Primary are next in line. The initiative has been noticed by a man who takes the needs of the community to heart.

Dr Sizwe Mabizela, Deputy Vice Chancellor of Rhodes University, who recently led a successful campaign to keep the high court in Grahamstown, has now urged the community to unite in an effort to improve education in local schools. He is personally donating R1 000 to the cause and says, "I challenge every professional to match or better that donation."

"There are some very fine schools in the town, and some very dysfunctional schools," Mabizela said. "It's not just about stationery, but creating the right environment for learners to learn and teachers to teach." Mabizela hopes to build on the project that Gadra Education has initiated, and engage all people in Grahamstown in an ongoing effort to support local schools. "I have a good feeling about this… if we can unite," said Mabizela.