Sweet preschool welcomes more assistance
A shining example of how a community can look after its own.
MATAFFIN – Tenteleni Preschool continues to go from strength to strength in educating the little ones of Mataffin Farm. The school, which was started in 2001 to offer residents a safe place for their children to learn while their parents were at work, has grown into a shining example of preschool education.
There are toys, books and posters. The kids are content and well behaved, and actively participate in their classes. All the colourfully decorated classrooms are filled with age-appropriate toys and material.
Ms Maybe Nyoni, principal, said they currently had 58 pupils in three age groups. “It is difficult for parents to find someone to take care of their children while they are at work,” she said, explaining her decision to establish the school. “Kids were walking around in the streets while their parents were at work. They were suffering.” In 2011 she built new premises near her house with the help of her husband and five sons.
The children are supplied with meals twice a day: they receive both breakfast and lunch. Nyoni employs two cooks and four teachers. She explains that the salaries of the teachers are paid by the Department of Social Development and their assistance is invaluable in the operation of the school.
Yet, it remains necessary to charge parents for their young ones’ schooling. According to Nyoni, Tenteleni is often required to supply diapers, baby formula and bathing material.
For this reason, the fees of children still in diapers (R300 per month) are slightly more than that of the older ones (R200 per month). Like the rest of the township, water is supplied to the school with water tanks. Recently, Nyoni has been able to install a water pump, to increase the children’s supply.
There are clean flush toilets available for the children inside, but the principal harbours big dreams for her school despite it already running as smooth as clockwork. Nyoni plans to build a brick wall around the perimeter of the school, where there is currently only a wire fence, for the preschoolers’ safety. She also needs an additional jungle gym and she is busy modifying an outside pit toilet which is used for waste disposal.
To assist Tenteleni, contact Nyoni on 083-277-7059
083-277-7059.
