MEPS’ Aunty Joy has a heart of gold

POLOKWANE – “In a world where educational institutions strive to provide the best care and support for their learners, MEPS hostel stands out as a beacon of holistic nurturing.”

This is according to MEPS principal Sandy Pitsi, who added that at the heart of this exceptional support system, is hostel caretaker Everlastingjoy Shamu.

She’s affectionately known as ‘Aunty Joy’ and is a person who goes above and beyond the call of duty to ensure the well-being and academic success of the hostel learners, Pitsi added.

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Aunty Joy’s role primarily revolves around the essential tasks of hostel life, ensuring that learners eat and go to bed on time, and making sure they’re comfortable in their dormitories.

“What sets her apart is her unwavering dedication to extending herself academically, to support primary school learners in their educational journey. She voluntarily offers afternoon extra classes for our foundation phase learners where she provides invaluable academic assistance and guidance,” Pitsi said.

What makes Aunty Joy’s approach truly unique is her focus to revisit and reinforce concepts that have already been covered in class.

“She understands that the key to academic success lies in a deep understanding of concepts and content. Her goal is to assess how well the learners understand these concepts and she then provides the necessary guidance to strengthen their comprehension,” Pitsi added.

Aunty Joy told Review that unlike day scholars, hostel learners don’t receive support from home, and it is therefore a crucial responsibility to assist them.

“As the hostel staff, we become family for these learners while they reside in the boarding house. I therefore believe it’s our responsibility to provide academic support after school.”

With her extra classes, Aunty Joy, who works closely with the teachers and the principal, not only holds learners accountable for their homework but she also helps them prepare for tests and exams.

“I would usually identify those who struggle and the areas in which they struggle. This collaborative effort ensures that learners receive the tailored help they need to excel academically.”

Pitsi said school staff support Aunty Joy by providing her with the necessary resources to assist learners.

“We make sure she has everything she needs, including whiteboard markers, fly paper for mock tests and workbook copies to facilitate productive afternoon homework and revision sessions.”

He concluded that the commitment of the hostel to providing holistic support is exemplified through Aunty Joy’s exceptional dedication.

“Her initiative not only helps learners excel academically, but also fosters a sense of belonging and family within the hostel. This institution’s unwavering commitment to the well-being and success of its learners makes it the ideal choice for parents seeking a nurturing and supportive environment for their children.”