Adopt-a-School Foundation addresses child safety
The Foundation implements Whole School Development.
The Adopt-a-School Foundation supports the creation and enhancement of a conducive learning and teaching environment in disadvantaged schools and has taken three local schools under its wing.
Through this foundation, these schools have established a parenting structure to which the school governing bodies can report all issues that disturb productive learning. Individuals and organisations keen on making a difference by adopting a school, can call 011 592 6560 (during office hours), e-mailing info@adoptaschool.co.za or visiting the Adopt-a-School website at www.adoptaschool.org.za.
These are the steps to follow to adopt a school, or have your school adopted:• Schools that seek adoption should apply for it.
• The adoptive party will then identify a school on the waiting list.
• When applying, the school completes and agrees to the Foundation’s criteria and the expectation document before the school visit.
• The Foundation’s Project Manager and Programme Manager visit the school to analyse the needs of the school.
• Once the analysis of the school’s needs has been conducted, the report is presented to the Adopter.
• The Adopter is introduced to the school governing body.
• Then the adoption agreements between the school, the Adopter and Foundation are signed.
• The Foundation meets with the Department of Basic Education to ensure that the action plan is aligned with their plans, to cut out duplication.
• Project Management and Project Steering committees are inaugurated – and finally, the operation starts.
Tsakani Primary School in Kagiso, Thuthuzekani Primary School in Rietvallei and Lodirile High School in Swaneville are all part of the Foundation, which was established in 2002. Executive Director of the Foundation, Steven Lebere, asked society at large how it aims to achieve our potential as a country, when our own children face sexual violation and abuse at school – the places where they are supposed to be protected and nurtured, by the people we have entrusted with their safety.
“At the Foundation, we strongly believe that the justice system should expediently deal with the ongoing trial of the perpetrator and that the maximum sentence be imposed for these heinous crimes. The government must continue to offer counselling to the children involved as well as their peers and families. Educators and School Management must be supported to deal with the safety risks prevalent in schools and society at large,” he said.
“Through our work in schools with our partner entities, the Foundation has observed, and responded to, the increase in cases of abuse affecting our learners. The prevalence of this crime in schools is robbing our children of their youth, and the country of its future. The violation of children’s basic right to protection from abuse is a national crisis and must be stopped,” Steven added.
One in every five sexual abuse cases that are reported in South Africa happen in schools. The Adopt-a-School Foundation and its partner entity, the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation (CRF), is actively responding to these social challenges by investing in and contributing to the development of South Africa’s rural and township schools. Through their holistic programmes, focus is placed on the safety and social well-being of school children.
In September, CRF launched the Thari programme for the support of women and children. The programme is aimed at providing psycho-social support services and safe spaces at schools for vulnerable children, youths and women. The programme aims to strengthen the systems in place for screening individuals who work with these children. The programme brings together multiple stakeholders in the community, in an effort to build awareness and education about abuse, ensuring that signs of abuse and trauma can be identified and addressed.
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