New Scholars prepared for next 12 years

THE scenes at primary school on the first day of the new school year are always full of sentimentality, and this year was no different.
Excited moms and dads are armed with good spirits and smiles, as they unhand their children into the arms of their first-ever ‘big school’ teacher.
There were only a few tears shed as the first of their 12 years of formative schooling got underway – and most of those were among the proud parents as they left without their charges.
The advent of compulsory pre-school education in the form of grade R has better prepared the incoming new scholars than ever before, and it is often the case that they are more at ease and prepared for the big step into big school than their eager-beaver parents.
While the added cost of an additional school year in grade R is regrettable, it is beneficial to have the assurance that all children who cross the threshold of junior primary in grade one do so with equal stature and preparedness as their peers.
Not only for the sake of the children themselves, but equally their teachers, who can start off the year secure in the knowledge that their fledgling learners are equally prepared to spread their wings and take their first steps towards full flight into the future of their education.