Department supports learners through shoe donations
Tshwane Secondary and Nellmapius Secondary are among the Tshwane schools that received shoe donations, complemented by dignity packs.
Learners returning to school were recently boosted with school shoes to ensure they have a bounce in their step.
The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko and department employees donated 740 pairs of shoes as part of the Back-to-School Campaign to eight schools from Tshwane, Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni.
Employees further took part in a departmental drive and donated school shoes and sanitary pads, as well as soccer kits contributed by the Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation.
Tshwane Secondary School in Pretoria Central and Nellmapius Secondary School in Mamelodi were among the Tshwane schools that received shoe donations.
This was complemented by donations of dignity packs (roll-on deodorant, pads, face cloths, toothbrushes and toothpaste), school shoes, bags and stationery from donors.
Trees were also planted as part of preserving the environment.
MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko said the initiative to donate shoes and sanitary pads among other essentials goes a long way in ensuring that learners from disadvantaged backgrounds do not miss a day in school because they do not have these items.
“One of the principals at a school we donated the school shoes to in Soweto was so emotional when they received the donation. She explained to me that many learners sometimes come to school wearing worn-out school shoes or sneakers. With the donation, the school will make sure that learners in need are given a new pair,” she said.
The Back-to-School campaign was used to also provide support to schools and assess their state of readiness for the academic year.
Speaking at Tshwane Secondary School, the clinical programme manager for the Youth and Integrated School Health Programme, Mary Mlangeni said learners will receive health screenings, mental health assessments and sexual health education.
“We are also available during outbreaks, hence it is important to issue the consent forms to each learner in the school. That consent form becomes valid for the whole of 2025 in case we have an outbreak. Then we know, we don’t have to struggle with consent forms, we swiftly come in and provide interventions,” said Mlangeni.
Other services included in the programme include eye, ear and growth locomotor screenings, sex education, teenage pregnancy, substance abuse, missed immunisations, social ills and mental health programmes.
Mhlangeni said as many learners who attend Tshwane Secondary do not live near the school, they will be referred to facilities near their homes if need be.
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