A Testament to Commitment: Dlukulwane Primary School’s Partnership with Siyakwazi

Siyakwazi’s journey with Dlukulwane Primary School in KwaXolo began in 2023 when we first met *Bongani, a child with a learning disability who had been referred to the Inclusion Programme. Though Siyakwazi had not yet established a partnership with the school, it was clear that the teachers, especially Mrs Mseleku, were dedicated to addressing barriers to learning, including invisible disabilities. This proactive approach set Dlukulwane apart from many other schools, where special education needs often go unmet.

Nosipho, Siyakwazi’s KwaXolo area manager, recalls the commitment of the staff: “The teacher was very keen to support Bongani, even suggesting a home visit when he wasn’t at school.” This dedication culminated in Bongani’s successful enrollment at St Martins, a local special education needs (SEN) school, where he is now thriving. This positive experience reinforced Siyakwazi’s commitment to supporting Dlukulwane Primary, making it a natural choice to include them in the School Readiness Programme when the opportunity to expand the reach in KwaXolo arose in 2024.

Dlukulwane Primary School, like many no-fee rural schools, faces significant challenges, including high absenteeism and children arriving without any prior Early Childhood Development (ECD) experience. Mrs Jama, the Grade R teacher, highlights the impact of these challenges: “We notice a lot of absenteeism, especially among children with difficulties in the classroom. It’s also hard to get some parents involved, particularly those whose children struggle with learning.”

To address these challenges, the School Readiness Programme aims to help children achieve essential milestones in their early educational journey. This year, Siyakwazi are supporting 48 ‘red flagged’ children at Dlukulwane Primary School who are at risk of academic set backs. Through targeted catch-up activities, we focus on foundational skills like counting, gross motor development, and fine motor skills, using engaging techniques tailored to meet the unique needs of these learners.

Nokwe, a new Siyasiza (fieldworker) who joined the KwaXolo team this year, has been pivotal in implementing these activities. She implements activities such as counting fruit and incorporating maths into daily routines. Specialised toys, like the Geostack, have further enhanced the learning experience, making visual perceptual skills more tangible for the children.

Children who once struggled with speech are now more confident, puzzles have improved concentration, and some learners who couldn’t write at the start of the year are now proudly putting pen to paper. Nokwe fondly speaks about a little girl who, after an additional home visit and support from her parents, blossomed into a confident, eager learner. “It’s like she’s discovered how awesome it is to learn,” Nokwe says with a smile.

“During our lessons, I like to ask the children, ‘Let’s count how many eyes are in the group altogether?’ when we introduce the theme ‘My Body,’” explains Nokwe. “This approach to counting out an amount helps the children understand numbers in a meaningful way, which is much more effective than the rote counting often taught in the early years. We also use activities like animal walks, where the children mimic different animals. They love it, and it’s always fun. These activities support gross motor development and are a great ice-breaker at the start of the sessions.”

The active participation of the foundation phase teachers, including their Head of Department (HOD), Miss Zulu, has been a highlight. “The teachers are deeply committed to helping all children progress in their learning. They take a keen interest in Siyakwazi’s catch-up activities and are excited to introduce new learning concepts, like puzzles, to support the entire classroom,” adds Nokwe.

The strong relationship between the teachers and Siyakwazi has been crucial to the programme’s success. As one teacher shares: “The Siyakwazi programme has been incredibly helpful. We have built a great relationship with Nokwe. We sit down together to discuss the children’s needs and use Siyakwazi’s resource box. We’ve learned so much from Nokwe and hope the programme continues in the future.”

The dedication of Dlukulwane’s teachers and their willingness to embrace new strategies have created an environment where all learners can thrive. The collaboration with Siyakwazi has proven to be a powerful catalyst for change, supporting both children and educators. With continued support from the School Readiness Programme, Dlukulwane Primary School is paving the way for a brighter future, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to succeed.