The transformation of Gillitts Primary School

THE Gillitts Primary School community and its sponsors celebrated the official opening of the school’s junior classrooms. According to the school’s principal, Arti Jadoo, this is one of many milestones reached by the school since 2010 when the school was declared dysfunctional.

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“Gillitts Primary School was built 71 years ago on land donated by the VN Naik family. The building of the school was funded by the poor farming community that made huge sacrifices to ensure that their children were educated. Sadly, in 2010, GPS was dysfunctional under previous leadership.

“The grass was tall, the windows were broken, there were maggots in the toilets, there was sewage overflowing onto the road, there was no library, no computer centre, no fence, the staff morale was low, the media often reported negative publicity, parents and learners protested for service delivery and violent attacks on staff were perpetrated byother  staff. Often, Pricilla Macay visited the school as a mediator.

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“Thankfully, God sent his angels to assist us. Peggy Bashkiroff, an American lady who was the guardian to a learner, the late Mohamed Baig, who was our chairperson of the SGB, and the late Yakoob Baig, a retired councillor, met with the Minister of Education of KZN in June 2010, highlighting our challenges. This was the day of our rebirth and the beginning of the transformation of Gillitts Primary School.”

Being appointed acting principal on June 4, 2010, Jadoo said she had a dream that, one day, GPS would be a school of spirituality, teaching learners good values, morals and life skills in a peaceful, safe, clean, happy and aesthetically pleasing environment, conducive to effective teaching and learning.

“It all started with a vision, a dream of a better future for our children. We started this journey by first healing – we had to right the wrongs that once were here and learn to manage and transform our school like one would start a new business,” she said.

Since 2010, the school has raised approximately R11 million that has seen them add many improvements to the school; a new fence was erected around the school, facilities were renovated and new blocks were built, to name a few.

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“In a nutshell, the 71-year-old GPS lady has been through a complete makeover. She has her botox, nips and tucks and lots of silicon. She has aged with dignity, class and beauty,” she said.

Giving thanks to their sponsors, Jadoo said the school is still embarking on renovation projects as they plan to build two more classrooms.
“We could not have transformed this school without all the assistance, love and kindness from you [the community],” she said.

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