Schools from across the West Rand gathered at the Gauteng Archive Centre in Kagiso to celebrate learners’ achievements in tackling social challenges on September 22.

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The Girls and Boys Education Movement (GBEM) event saw around 25 schools celebrating their achievements. According to event co-ordinator Yvonne Ntshabele, GBEM has been functional for years to address social challenges such as substance abuse, gangsterism and teenage pregnancies.

The movement addresses these issues in schools with strategic partners such as social workers, who work with learners who experience these issues,” she said.

Ntshabele explained that the recent prize-giving recognised learners in the movement who raised awareness and addressed these issues, presenting them with trophies and certificates.

A representative from the province’s youth desk, Clarah Sithole, encouraged learners to do the right thing to address these challenges, go to school, and live within their means.