It’s an issue of principals

More than 100 principals from disadvantaged areas around the country gathered in Sandton to take part in the Tiger Brands Foundation’s annual Principals Conference.

The foundation was established in 2011 and provides nutritious meals in 94 non-fee paying schools across the country through its in-school breakfast programme. The third Principals Conference gave principals the opportunity to discuss how the impacts of the programme could go beyond the meals and how principals could ensure there was a positive ripple effect on their schools.

Eugene Absolom, the director of the foundation said, “The biggest drive behind the work that we do as a foundation is to provide opportunities to young school-going children in previously disadvantaged communities. In order to attain these opportunities in the future, we believe it should start today, with good nutritious meals that allow learners to concentrate in school.”

During the conference, principals had the chance to hear from various stakeholders in multiple private and public sectors related to nutrition, education, collaboration, advocates for children’s rights, as well as their peers among many others.

During one discussion at the conference, panellists discussed how leaders could be agents of change within their communities. Lindelwa Dlulemnyango-Sopotela, the director of the National School Nutrition Programme for the Western Cape Education Department, said there have been principals who have been innovative and approached businesses to also play a role in ensuring that schools were well resourced. She added that some principals have used the meal time as an opportunity to engage with their learners and teach them good manners and punctuality.

“There is no other institution in a community that has more power than a school. You are the agents of change,” said Dlulemnyango-Sopotela.

Adele Latchman, the senior project manager for Programme for Technological Careers, said as leaders of their schools, principals were often faced with difficult circumstances. She added that it was important for principals to look back on what they have done and how they could further transform the learning environment.

Absolom concluded, “Principals are an important element to our value chain. Knowing what’s going right, what’s going wrong, our impact and getting insight and solutions from each other goes a long way in the sustainability of a programme such as this.”

Details: Tiger Brand Foundation 011 840 4654.

Share your thoughts on the conference on the Sandton Chronicle Facebook page

Related Articles:

https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/223939/brand-summit-heads-jozi/

https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/215055/help-topsy-continue-their-good-work/