#Siyaspana back to school campaign covers textbooks for free, helps underprivileged learners
The campaign prepares learners for their academic year with almost everything from covering their textbooks, stationery, donation of school shoes, haircuts and polishing of shoes.
A local non-profit organisation has gone to war for parents forced to pay for books that get damaged while being loaned to their children.
Vhathu Phanda community forum is a non-profit organisation dedicated to transforming the lives of the communities through education.
The organisation from Mamelodi claims the mostly unemployed parents are forced to pay for these textbooks, or else their children won’t get their year-end school reports.
The community forum in partnership with Tsalanang organisation kick-started the #Siyaspana back to school campaign which started on January 13 and was expected to end this week.
Thabo Moshabelo from the forum said the campaign started at Pfundzo Ndi Tshedza Primary School in Mamelodi East.
He said the school caters mostly for children from Phomolong informal settlement, the majority of whom come from underprivileged families.
“The back to school campaign actually prepares schoolchildren for their academic year with almost everything, from covering their textbooks, stationery, donation of school shoes, haircuts and polishing of school shoes,” said Moshabelo.
“As the organisation we have noticed there are families who are unable to replace worn-out textbooks at the end of the year or cover worn-out textbooks at the beginning of the year.
“Before the schools could hand out school reports for the end of the year, the school checks the textbooks if they are still in good condition and if found they are torn, parents are forced to pay for those textbooks, or else no school reports.”
The back to school campaign takes care of the textbooks by making sure they are covered at the beginning of the year.
Mamelodi learners had the opportunity to choose their dream haircuts and plaiting styles before school started this year.
Moshabelo said: “Our aim is reach out to more than 20 000 children, 20 schools, and 20 communities as a strategic effort to bring about a desired change.
“We want to raise awareness on key challenges that are confronting township schools and to encourage and motivate learners, educators and parents as they steady themselves to negotiate the 2025 academic year through a wide range back to school campaign,” he said.
Campaign activities include donations of school uniforms, book covering, polishing of school shoes, ironing of school uniforms, school governing body and councillor’s breakfast dialogue, haircuts and hairdressing.
He said the campaign will also be visiting schools to raise awareness about the school cleaning campaign, anti-bullying and GBV, drug and substance abuse campaigns.
The forum and “our partners around Tshwane believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to achieve their full potential, regardless of their social and economic background”.
“Our team is made up of experienced and dedicated professionals who are passionate about making a positive impact in their communities.”
He concluded, “We are working closely with community leaders, volunteers, and partners to ensure that our programmes are effective and sustainable, and that they have a meaningful impact on the lives of the people we serve”.
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