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Schools Fund

 

The Schools System in South Africa is still extremely polarised with some of the best examples of schooling in the world operating within previous 'Model C' schools whilst the majority of 'Township' schools are in a state of terrible disrepair, with lessons interrupted by rain and wind, have no facilities other than blackboards and desks, and often teach without the relevant textbook!  Readers not associated with the historical South African education system will not be aware that, during apartheid times,  Model C schools were designated for Whites only and therefore were built well, with excellent infrastructure and resources.  The Model C schools were well maintained and built to be easy to maintain with good brick walls, proper land drainage and tiled roofs.  The ex Model C schools remain in excellent state of repair and are now well run, often semi private with parents making small contributions to top up the government allowance.  Meanwhile the Township schools were for 'Black' and 'Coloured' only, were built with poor infrastructure including asbestos roofs, no land drainage and poor sanitation pits.  Once these Township schools were built there was no budget allowed for maintenance and parents had to pay to send their children there.  The current state of disrepair of many of these Township schools is shocking:  When it rains the classrooms flood from the roof and from the land with no drainage mudslides fill the classroom floors.  Learners lose a day of learning during the rain and a day following the rain while they dig out their classrooms.

 

Quintile 1 schools are the most impoverished and Quintile 5 the most affluent.  Quintile 1 to 3 school Learners are entitled to free school meals.

 

 

 
 
In 2023 the Schools Fund assisted 300 school children in 15 schools with uniforms and/or individual uniform items.  The children who benefit are motivated for by their teachers who have been working closely with Rosemary for over 21 years.  Uniforms only go to the children who are in desperate need and who either have no uniform at all or who are wearing pass me downs which have been passed down many times.  Heels stick out of the back of shoes whilst toes out of the front, Jerseys have more holes than jersey and are often 3 or more sizes too small.  Many children do not have any underwear - an issue which becomes very apparent when they are trying on their new uniforms in a communal space.  
 
The gift of uniform is a gift of self worth, pride and dignity.  The children's joy and gratitude is deeply heartwarming to experience.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Before the Government introduced a school feeding scheme in 2011 learners often came to school hungry due to real and absolute poverty in their households.  All Learners should now receive at least one nutritious meal per school day, but the Schools Fund still assists with food parcels in extreme cases.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rosie has been running the Schools Fund since 2003.  She is now assisted by her granddaughter Caitlyn.  
 

 
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