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OUTDOOR LEARNING: Pupils and teachers of Selowe Primary School at Silvermine village in Senwabarwana, under Blouberg municipality in Limpopo, attend classes under marula trees because they only have one classroom. PHOTO: ELIJAR MUSHIANA

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These concerned citizens took a brave decision: they pulled their children out of schools that were too far from their village because of the related long distances and inherent dangers including molestation and or worse.

Community builders of this rare type always face opposition from myopic leaders. As matters stand the Education Department has dug in its heels, refusing to recognise the school, but offering to provide scholar transport - precisely the service that led to the current situation.

Both the schools that the children previously attended are more than five kilometres from the village, so - after the department had inexplicably terminated the scholar transport - the parents, led by the local headman, persuaded volunteer teachers to rally round and a former security guard to act as headmaster.

While not one of the mentors has qualifications close to a degree, it is their enthusiasm, compassion and nation-building spirit that should be rewarded.

Instead the government is threatening the "illegal" school with closure, as if not recognising the kids' credentials at the end of the year were not the harshest form of punishing initiative.

In the middle of national Children's Week festivities, leaders are being seen - in a way - as trampling on children's rights to protection from harm, including unnecessary over-exertion, citing walking long distances as a clear illustration.

While the authorities are decrying the lack of sanitation and a building to house the classes, cases of public schools operating under trees still abound, making Selowe Primary School in Senwabarwana - formerly Bochum - no exception at all.

Children's rights pertaining to protection from abuse, neglect, exploitation and discrimination, meaning in short that they have a right to safe places, constructive child rearing practices or behaviour, are exactly what the parents, volunteer teachers and principal are boldly endeavouring to provide.

Winter's biting cold and summers' rainy days are on the horizon. Providing mobile classrooms and seconding a few professional teachers forthwith to help at the school is a better option for the department, because at a certain point in their lives in the future the affected children will remember, and will forgive no one.

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Sun May 19 11:55:17 SAST 2013 ::

May 31, 2012

MsKinkyakaKamaSutra

Winter's biting cold and summers' rainy days are on the horizon. Providing mobile classrooms and seconding a few professional teachers forthwith to help at the school is a better option for the department, because at a certain point in their lives in the future the affected children will remember, and will forgive no one.
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If they provide mobile classrooms/build a school how will the comardes survive........ there wont be enough money:

to pimp their rides
catering for conferences, lekgotlas
renovate the palatial houses
buy furnishings and equipment for their houses
renovate the offices (the predecessor did not have style so everyone wants new furniture)
for the limits on credit cards are "targets" so they need permanent cash flow

To hell with kids, the trees are just fine and they are close to nature................ get to see different insects (biology)
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May 31, 2012

MEforU

I feel like taking a bus to limpopo ryt now, with chairs, textbook, desks, and food on top just to offer my help......nxaaaa. COSATU where r uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu............................
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May 31, 2012

Lekgowa

This so wrong and where is our MEC for education. Ever since this story become public, there is not even once did i hear comment from Dickson Masemola as MEC of Education n am wondering his where about. In our 18 years old democracy i wonder where is Gwede Mantashe, Jackson Mthembu and Blade Nzimande, the real marchers. Let them organise a march to Limpopo to assist because organising marches is their strong point.
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May 31, 2012

Bebesocs

This atrocity is going on in the Eastern province, and nobody bothers. I am ashamed that with our government we experience such things. Yheey why is ANC destroying the future of our children? why are they fighting us like this? oh yes this happens in the Eastern Cape, do you remember where a class was conducted on a mud built classroom and it was falling. I am ashamed to even call myself south african. can somebody tell me what is happening?
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May 31, 2012

Bebesocs

They have failed us, now we need to improvise, can someone tell me how can I contact people with containers or those mobile caravans and how can we contact places like Anglo or De Beers and ask them for assistance, but we need to rescue our children. This is sad. uNdzimande udumbise ubuso what does he think about the future of our children?
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