Slutwalk operations director Karmilla Pillay-Siokos has started an alternative learning centre offering an enlightened, humanistic and child-centred learning experience.
Karmilla grew up struggling to conform to what she describes as ‘the cookie-cutter mould of mainstream schooling’. “I tried to commit suicide multiple times during high school. It was such a difficult place for me,” she explained.
Now, together with her husband Costa Siokos, they have established Care (Constantian Academy for Renaissance Education) in Dunkeld. “It is my dream to create a safe haven for the misfits and rejects of the world, where they can feel loved and belong. I want them to feel that they have the right to be themselves without being bullied.”
Costa and Karmilla take issue with the regimentation involved in mainstream education, where children are forced to wear uniforms and ask permission to use the toilet. “These behaviours detract from the dignity of the individual and the learning process,” said Costa.
Karmilla believes that the rape culture in South African society stems from childhood issues, which she seeks to change through this schooling programme. “For as long as we can remember, education has been about hierarchy, authority, power and control. We need children to find their voice and be heard, to find common humanity, mutual love and respect so that they can be empowered to develop a different way of interacting in the world.”
Care learners are assessed using Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences on admission and learning is then personalised according to the child’s curriculum of choice and their unique way of processing information. Each child works at their own pace and level, maximising potential in each subject.
Care also offers extra-curricular activities selected by the children including music, dance, sports and martial arts, facilitating personal growth in areas of learning including intellectual, physical, emotional and social.
To find out more, email info@c-a-r-e.co.za or call 082 480 9320.
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