Those stealing essential teaching material and learning equipment at schools in Alex have been condemned.
This was said at a bursary award ceremony by Paul Mashatile, chairperson of the Vincent Tshabalala Education Trust, at SanKopano Community Centre to hundreds of Alex pupils, their teachers and sponsors.
Mashatile said the community should protect schools’ infrastructure and assets and help ensure that criminals are dealt with. This he said after a robbery occurred at KwaBhekilanga Secondary School on Christmas Day where R155 000 worth of equipment was stolen. There have also been several reported burglaries at other schools where millions of rands worth of essential items were stolen in recent years.
Mashatile said that despite this setback, the trust forged ahead with its objective of educating children, as a continuation of similar past anti-apartheid efforts. This, he said, enabled the country to deal with its challenges and achieve excellence through educated people who will serve everyone.
“With discipline and support, hard work will pay [off] and education initiatives like the work of the trust will succeed,” Mashatile said.
He attributed the success of the bursary recipients and those doing well in Grade 10 and 11 to the contributions by teachers and principals and to the support of parents and the community. Mashatile particularly commended the parents, saying the children should thank them and not shun them when they become successful in life.
He added that the trust also contributed to schools’ improvement. This includes donating a photocopier to Alex High School, renovating offices at Kwabhekilanga and Eastbank secondary schools and also providing groceries for the teachers’ refreshments.
He added that the trust was aligned to the Fees Must Fall campaign and other organisations countrywide to ensure greater access to higher education by deserving university students who would help empower the country. He thanked sponsors, including individuals, for their long-term contributions.
Details: Vincent Tshabalala Education Trust 011 885 2227.
