Three brave members of Grahamstown's Upstart youth development project screened hard-hitting documentary videos about issues facing local education as part of a project between Upstart and Rhodes University which took place last year.
Three brave members of Grahamstown's Upstart youth development project screened hard-hitting documentary videos about issues facing local education as part of a project between Upstart and Rhodes University which took place last year.
Produced with the help of third-year TV journalism students, the films were shown to local school pupils, residents and education activists at Noluthando Hall at the end of last year.
Choices by Upstarter Anganathi Yanta and Bongiwe Tutu highlights some of the most pressing challenges that stop many South Africans from finishing high school. It focuses on teenage pregnancy, poverty and lack of textbooks. I want to encourage young people to stay in school because leaving school there's no future, Anganathi says.
State of Ruin by Upstarter Sinathi Kom and Lla Thakholi looks at how rampant vandalism hinders education at TEM Mrwetyana High School. School infrastructure is damaged by graffiti, stolen taps, broken windows and ceilings. Sinathi says pupils struggle without enough taps in summer and nearly freeze in winter because of the broken windows. The continuous vandalism depletes funds faster than they can be regenerated – what will happen to the school?
Dodging Classes by Upstarter Athule Zabo and Bradley Bense explores how teacher shortages and lack of school support, text books and infrastructure contribute to pupils bunking school – and ultimately missing out on education. This film delves into the reasons why pupils cut classes and how they think bunking affects them.
