June 16th remembered
In commemorating Youth Day, teachers at Glenhazel Primary School gave their pupils an experience they will never forget on 13 June.
Teachers and pupils swapped roles and as ‘pupils’ for the day, the teachers wore school uniforms and simulated a protest march on the school’s sports grounds.
Deputy principal Agnes Valashia told the North Eastern Tribune that the initiative was to give the pupils a taste of what it was like when young people protested on June 16 1976 for better education, and against being taught in Afrikaans.
She said they wanted to remind them why they should be grateful to the youngsters of 1976. “As a new generation, our pupils are facing different challenges to those faced by the youth of 1976,” said Valashia. “They have to fight and win the war against HIV/Aids and drugs.”
She added that the day also allowed the teachers to instil the value of unity to pupils. She said, “We want them to realise that when people unite, nothing is impossible. The youth of 1976 managed to bring about change and to make history because they were united.”
Grade 4 pupil Lesedi Khoza said although she only read about June 16, the significance of the day was great in her life. “I believe we would not have the quality of education that we have had it not been for the youth of 1976,” she said. “They paved the way for us to become anything we want to be in life and I am grateful for that.”
Celebrations at the school took the whole day with pupils performing scenes from the popular film, Sarafina.
How will you commemorate Youth Day 2014?
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