August 28, 2007
By Tabisa Mntengwana
CHILDREN can play and learn while their parents are at work at a new preschool near George Goch hostel in Benrose.
The Bumbanani Preschool, officially handed over to the community on Friday, 24 August, is an initiative of the City, its capital budget department, Absa bank, the Coalition of Anglican Churches (Coach), Lots O' Learning and Aberdare.
In front of more than 200 community members, ward councillor Innocent Gumbi presented the preschool and announced that it would be open soon.
Classes at the Bumbanani Preschool start on 3 September
"The bigger and greater job has been done and it is up to the community to take care of this facility," Gumbi said.
A number of officials from the City's departments of human development and capital budget witnessed the handover. "This is a place where kids should play and learn … to have a brighter future," said Albertina Ramogase, Region F's human development representative.
Negotiations to set up the school, and the subsequent construction, took at least two years, along with training and selection of teachers. Training was done in two parts, and was undertaken by Lots O' Learning and Coach.
In all, four people were trained, but the organisations have to choose two to teach at the school in a few weeks time. "The crèche needs at least two teachers at the moment but if it needs be, we will recruit some more later in the year," said Coach's Nosipho Cele.
The Lots O' Learning training took three months, during which time the student teachers learned about caring and giving good guidance to the children. "The trainers from Lots O' Learning taught us how to mix learning and playing with different educational games that each preschool should have," said Percy Ndebele, a trained preschool teacher.
A three-day workshop run by Coach comprised of lessons on school governance, financial management, parenting skills and Read and Write workshops from the Sunday Times newspaper.
"The training is set to give teachers a better understanding of school governance and, most importantly, financial management," Cele said.
Lots O' Learning's Cornelia Slabbert explained the importance of a preschool: "During the training, teachers learned that a preschool was not only a place for keeping kids until their parents [returned] from work. It is also a place to learn."
All equipped: the classroom is ready for the youngsters. Tables, chairs and educational games were sponsored by Absa Bank
Bumbanani Preschool opened for registration on 27 August; classes will begin on Monday, 3 September. "Parents are welcome to bring their children for registration. We assure them that their kids won't only be educated while in this facility, but will also be safe," Gumbi said.
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