After reading in the Fourways Review about the Gurney family’s difficulty in finding a Grade 1 placement for their daughter Caitlyn, Struggle to secure child a place at school, Week ending 27 January, Adonike Strack decided to offer spaces to 19 Grade 1 children at the Royal Learning Academy in Douglasdale.
“I received my degree in education a few years ago, but I had my three children before I could put it to use,” Strack explained of her training to be an educator for foundation phase (grades R – 3) children.
“Then, reading about that little girl [in the Fourways Review], as well as from friends of mine who were trying to find a school for their kids to start at, made me realise that there is a definite need for more Grade 1 classes in this country.”
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And so, the Royal Learning Academy, which already ran as a tutoring centre for children in grade R and lower, was expanded to also provide for Grade 1s, 2s and 3s, although no children are currently in the upper two grades. Strack hopes that in the next few years these classes will be filled.
“I’m not trying to make money from this teaching work,” Strack said.
“I’m really just trying to fill the obvious need for good quality education in this city. With our class limit of 20 kids per class, we can provide that in a much smaller classroom environment.
“I know that we’re already a few weeks into the new school year and that there are probably a few parents still stressing about getting their child placed. Luckily, because of our small class size, we would be able to help kids [who weren’t placed in Grade 1 in time for the start of the school year] to catch up on that work, and also address problem areas that the children might have.”
Some more good news for worried parents – not only is the Royal Learning Academy completely compliant with the Caps (National Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement) syllabus like government schools – the tutoring centre is also only charging government school fee rates for the year. “This will also cover the price of meals and snacks for the children throughout the school day,” Strack confirmed.
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“I guess what I want people to take away from all this, is that I’m trying to create a place that develops children as a whole, not just academically.”
Currently, there is only one Grade 1 pupil at the Royal Learning Academy, which means there is still space for 19 pupils in the grade.
If you would like to learn more, you can contact Adonike on 082 786 1481 or royalacademy.adonike@gmail.com, or visit its website at www.royalacademy.co.za/
Let us know if you are still having a problem getting your child placed by tweeting @Fourways_Review
