Fourie vows to hold addicts’ hands

A new school is coming to Bedfordview, but unlike mainstream schools in the country, this school will offer a different approach to education.
Founder, Mr Duncan Fourie told the NEWS his school will focus on youngsters who struggle with addiction.
He is a Bedfordview resident.
Having battled drug addiction himself, Mr Fourie said he knows and understands how addiction affects families and friends.
He said it was during his journey to recovery, which started in 2004, that he discovered his calling into teaching.
Mr Fourie started his teaching career at a local school.
“I am passionate about working with and helping youngsters. I have participated in and led recovery groups for a decade. My passion for teaching and for young adults always shone through,” said Mr Fourie.
He said the school will equip the learners with coping skills.
“Addiction does not discriminate. As a country we have the ability to win the war on drugs, but we should first get to the root of the problem. At the school we will teach these youngsters to make the right life choices. We will also reinforce good decision making. Youngsters battling addiction also need role models and we will be just that,” said Mr Fourie.
He said the school’s model will include taking learners out of their normal environment.
“This is to properly reshape their behavioural issues and coping skills in a safe environment. This allows room to deal with unfulfilled emotional needs to be established and dealt with without risk of permanent defaults as would be the case in the formal schooling structure whilst keeping up their formal education,” said Mrs Fourie.
He said no time of completion can be put on the processes of recovery as the levels of severity vary from learner to learner.
“There are however certain processes we choose to follow, these are non-negotiable for very good reasons; namely our initial de-schooling, reintegration and phasing,” he said.
The school is expected to open its doors for the first time early 2017.
Mr Fourie said the typical learners they are looking for at the school are those rejected by mainstream schools because of addiction and behavioural issues.
“We allow room for growth and we will walk the path with our children so they can hone their gifts and talents and find new ones. We also raise them in their weaker areas. We act as caring teachers, big brothers and sponsors in order to interact on a deeper heart level where our children’s characters can be moulded as they spend time together with us,” said Mr Fourie.