Gokul achieves diamond decade status
According to the principal, Niren Naidoo, the school is not resting on its laurels and has renewed its registration for the eco-schools project, with the hope of intensifying its food gardening project.
GOKUl Primary School in Isipingo Rail has joined an elite band of schools in the country after being awarded its Diamond Decade eco-schools status by the Wildlife Environment Society of SA (Wessa).
This is a culmination of 10 years of diligence by the entire school community but especially the dedicated staff.
On the back of this prestigious award, the school environmental committee intends intensifying their food gardening project and is embarking on a sponsorship appeal for a new tunnel garden and water tank to facilitate this initiative.
This is a remarkable milestone considering the humble beginnings of the school which once comprised of an old bus and then a single block on land donated by the pioneering Gokul family. It has evolved from a junior primary school only to a fully fledged primary school which caters for learners from Isipingo Rail, Umlazi and surrounding areas. The success of the school can be measured by the fact that demand for admission is so great that registration is completed almost a year in advance.
The seeds for participation in the Eco-Schools Project were sown by late deputy principal, Mr LS Naidoo, and the love for the environment was taken to greater heights by former principal, Mrs SB Paruk. They inculcated this passion into the staff, learners and community who embraced the eco-schools project with such amazing enthusiasm that Gokul Primary achieved Platinum Status from 2010 to 2013.
The journey of Gokul Primary School from the 1980s to present has been encapsulated in a spellbinding portfolio that takes pride of place in the school’s reception area. The transformation is presented in the form of photographs and documentary evidence from the school’s archives as well as evidence of the various activities and opportunities that the learners are exposed to.
According to the principal, Niren Naidoo, the school is not resting on its laurels and has renewed its registration for the eco-schools project, with the hope of intensifying its food gardening project. The produce from the food garden will be utilised to supplement the nutrition programme. Contact the school on 031-902-5373 or email gokulprimary@telkomsa.net if you can assist.
