Glendale school pupils get a confidence boost with new shoes

More than a hundred pupils at Parukabad Primary School in Glendale received new school shoes last Thursday.

Education department circuit manager Mbuso Khuzwayo said the donation from Illovo Sugar SA (ISSA), valued at over R16000, would help restore pupils’ confidence.

“Some of these children do not have uniforms or school shoes because their parents cannot afford them.

“This donation is going to go a long way, not only in making our pupils look beautiful but in improving their performance in the classroom because new shoes are known to boost a pupil’s confidence.

“You will also with no doubt see a reduction in absenteeism at this school,” said Khuzwayo.

Principal Lucky Narain expressed his gratitude on behalf of his staff and pupils.

He praised Illovo Sugar SA for helping the community, situated near the mill, throughout the year, assisting with various needs from buildings to water and sanitation.

The history of the school and its partnership with ISSA through the Glendale Distillery dates back to the building of the school in 1944.

Seven teachers with 6 assistants teach about 500 pupils from Grades R to 7.

“As a quintile 1 school, we struggle to make ends meet because many of our community members are unable to pay school fees. Many of our pupils come from broken homes with little to no income.

“They do not have the means to buy even the most basic things, like school shoes,” said Narain.