Mia Lindeque
Children at Goza Primary School in Soweto received 150 portable desks fitted with solar panels. The desks were donated to help children study at home during load shedding hours.
This follows concerns about the impact that load shedding has on the learning ability of children in the foundation phase by Early Childhood Development Centres.
#Loadshedding Early Childhood Development centres in Soweto have told Kaya News they are concerned about the impact of load shedding on the foundation phase of children’s learning ability – with power cuts hitting them hard. ML#KayaNews pic.twitter.com/GEuTkHmy9H
— Kaya 959 News (@KayaNews) May 15, 2023
ECDs were previously the responsibility of the Social Development Department and that changed in 2022 when the Basic Education Department adopted the responsibility. Now ECD centres that cater to children from the ages of two to six years old are battling to cope with load shedding.
The financial impact of loadshedding, might have a drastic impact on our school’s future if we don’t find sponsors soon.
Musa Sikhosana, Priniciple of Enkulisweni pre-school in Zondi in Soweto
#Loadshedding Principal Musa Sikhosana says the financial impact of load shedding might have a drastic impact on the school’s future, if they don’t find sponsors soon. ML #KayaNews pic.twitter.com/su2uo3yNeS
— Kaya 959 News (@KayaNews) May 15, 2023
The power cuts caused by load shedding greatly disrupt a class of over 50 children at Enkulisweni pre-school. Children as young as 2 years old sit at desks in a dark room.
This also adds to the pressure of the teacher who has the responsibility of teaching the 50 children in her classroom.
#Loadshedding Over 50 children as young as 2-years-old, sit at their desks in a dark room here at Enkulisweni pre-school in Zondi in Soweto. Teacher Lungile Ncwane has her hands full during load shedding. ML#KayaNews pic.twitter.com/cEnW6Bp6A7
— Kaya 959 News (@KayaNews) May 15, 2023
A call to have hospitals, clinics, police stations, and schools exempt from load shedding was denied by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The president said it is practically impossible to exempt the essential sector from load shedding.
With the government unable to assist ECDs, private funding is necessary.
The Basic Education Department in Gauteng requests that corporates come up with initiatives to help alleviate the pressure ECDs experience because of power cuts.
There is an opportunity for corporates to create CSI innitaitives to give learners the tools necessary to be able to continue studying at home
Dietmar Niebuhr Gauteng Education Department
Thanks to private funding the Goza Primary Schoolrecei ved 150 portable desks fitted with solar panels to help children study at home during load shedding hours.
The desks were designed as a science project six years ago by Thalita Boodhram. She hopes that more corporates can sponsor children to get through load shedding.
NOW READ: Lesufi to hire 6000 more people to fix potholes in Gauteng townships



