Mbombela – Disadvantaged pupils from Matlalong Primary School and Ben Matlosha Secondary School in Casteel, outside Bushbuckridge, are to receive uniforms worth R30 000 when they arrive at school today.
Mpumalanga Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Vusi Shongwe will hand over the clothes to pupils.
“With this gesture, we are aiming to encourage children from not so well-off families to appreciate that there are other people who care about their well-being. Theirs is to concentrate on learning and growth,” said Shongwe on Wednesday.
Shongwe said each school had identified 10 pupils from needy families who would benefit from the donation, which will be handed over at Ben Matlosha.
He said the pupils were identified by school governing body members, local community police forum members, teachers and officials from the department.
“This department aims to contribute towards enhancing the culture of learning and teaching in the province by encouraging other officials to source sponsorships for needy pupils in schools,” said Shongwe.
“We understand that teaching is not only the responsibility of the teachers and the department of education. These children are our future and the current administration has identified education as one of its priorities.”
Department spokesperson Joseph Mabuza said the donation was part of the department’s Overall Friday Campaign, which encourages officials to source sponsorships for needy pupils in various schools.
“Early this year, a big clothing outlet… partnered with the department and donated school uniforms worth R15 000 to over 60 pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds in Piet Retief and Breyten,” said Mabuza.
He said the campaign further advocated for public private partnerships between the provincial government and local businesses to enhance service delivery.
Mabuza said the project had already benefited child-headed homes with donations of food parcels from media houses, blankets and the renovation of victim-friendly facilities at police stations.
“More school pupils from Ehlanzeni, Nkangala and Gert Sibande districts will also benefit from the department’s initiative,” said Mabuza. – Eric Mashaba, BuaNews
