Dr Peter Farrant of the Northern Education Trust reports that Sister Grace is continuing to do good work at Meetsetshehla Secondary School in Vaalwater where she is based. She spends one day a week at Lesideng High School and visits Mokolo and Mahlasedi primary schools once a week.

Dr Farrant says, “Recently the need for school nurse counsellors has been recognised by the Government. Whether they introduce such appointments is to be seen. Thank you for your financial support for this position! There is no doubting Grace’s beneficial presence at all the schools.”

                             SCHOOL REPORT FROM FEBRUARY – APRIL 2021

DAILY DUTIES:

Schools re-opened and learners have been attending in a phased manner without interruptions or serious issues. Sister Grace says, “All Corvid–19 protocols concerning prevention, with regular hand washing and social distancing are adhered to. Staff and learners sign a daily register after being screened and temperature recorded.” This is to detect abnormalities before anyone enters the school premises. About 400 learners are screened on daily basis.

“Classrooms and offices are sanitized regularly. Learners are well-informed about all the precautions and educated on general hygiene measures and risks of cross infection. When they present flu-like symptoms, they are thoroughly checked and screened to rule out common colds. If severe symptoms arise they are referred to the clinic for further management and treatment.”

The Matric results for two Secondary Schools:

Some passed to study at various universities and colleges, while others got only a normal pass. They were given chance to register and rewrite any subjects failed.

Meetsetshehla High School – (Total number of leaners 94. 63% passed)

Leseding High School – (Total number of learners 17. 94.1 % passed)

CHALLENGES:

• Increased number of teenage pregnancies with an unwillingness to report until discovered in their last trimester
• Learners dropping out of school for no reason with some involved in domestic theft
• Alcohol and drug abuse among the leaners with some caught with dagga and cigarettes on school premises
• Fatigue due to pressure of school work as learners have to attend school for long hours in order to catch up on lost time. They have many assignments and homework to be completed
• Learners who walk a distance to and from school are unable to do all assignments as they arrive home late, tired upon arrival
• Over-aged learners who keep repeating in the same class are a bad influencer on newcomers, however disciplinary hearings were conducted
• Absconding from school during break time without permission from the teacher.

PROGRESS:

• The Department of Education appointed and employed educational teacher assistants and general workers to work for a short term period (3 months) in surrounding schools. This has helped a lot as the workers assist with cleaning school premises, packing and distributing books to learners, filing and photocopying.
• E-learning programme based at Meetsetshehla High School run by Leseding Education Network, through the Northern Education Trust, will help those needing extra classes do their assignments, download study guides and be able to learn live experiments according to their curriculum. (Learners from surrounding schools are using this opportunity. They attend the classes at Meetsetshehla.)
• Matriculants are attending school on a daily basis to ensure they are well prepared and able to catch up on studies  
• Teachers are willing to help learners who need special assistance in certain subjects
• The feeding scheme continues to provide meals for learners on daily basis as a nutritional supplement, including fruit and vegetables to maintain a balanced diet.

ONE LEARNER IS ATTENDING ONGOING COUNSELING ON SUBSTANCE AND DRUG ABUSE AND ALSO HAS A COURT CASE, ACCUSED OF RAPE. HE’S IN GRADE 10 AM AND 19 YEARS OLD.

UNDISCIPLINED LEARNERS ATTEND DISCIPLINARY MEETINGS FROM THEIR TEACHER AND PARENTS ARE NOTIFIED.

THE GOOD NEWS:

We have started environmental activities with learners from grade 8 – 11, who have formed a club that will be involved in recycling and gardening. This will help them demonstrate life orientation tasks and projects. Members are grouped in sixes to limit overcrowding. Each group has been assigned to a specific task and will work closely with the teacher assistants on particular days. The garden has just been set up and will benefit learners with nutritional supplementation through the feeding scheme and Hospitality Studies.

THESE LEARNERS ARE MOZAMBICAN NATIONALS ARE ASSISTED WITH FOOD PARCELS. BOYS ALSO RECEIVED SCHOOL UNIFORM AND WINTER WEAR.

144 girls need washable sanitary pads. A message was sent to our kind sponsor Andrew Smith who is willing to transport a box from Pretoria.

If you would like to find out how to make a donation via The Waterberg Trust in the UK to enable Sister Grace to buy school uniform or washable sanitary packs, please click here.

CLASSROOM EDUCATION:  

Grade 8 learners were welcomed, orientation was given, with basic hygiene measures and menstrual issues explained to girls.

All grade 9 learners were educated on HIV/AIDS, TB, STIs, lifestyle diseases and ways of prevention and treatment. This is linked to Life Orientation studies.

Learners are helped with career guidance. This helps them to work hard in certain subjects to reach their dream careers.

MEETINGS:

I attended various meetings with stake-holders such as the Department of Social Development, the South African Police and community leaders. Issues of gender-based violence, teenage pregnancy, substance and alcohol abuse were discussed. The police are ready to work with the community and help to clamp down on those involved in dealing in illegal drugs, which leads to gender-based violence and domestic theft.

Social workers are involved in identifying social problems in the communities and help those who needed social support through counseling and providing basic needs like food and temporary shelter.

STATISTICS:

199 LEARNERS WERE CONSULTED INDIVIDUALLY. THE REST WERE ADDRESSED IN CLASSES

PREGNANT – 18 (10 Meetsetshehla & 8 from Leseding High Schools)

ASTHMATIC – 6 (1 Learner was admitted to hospital with a severe asthmatic attack but she’s much better)

COUNSELING – 30 (HIV, & STI, substance abuse, promiscuity, bereavement and family planning)

DISCIPLINARY ISSUES – 15 (Late-comers, improper uniform, unable to complete school work, and trouble-makers)

MINOR AILMENTS – 35 (Menstrual issues, headaches, dizziness, scabies, earache and tooth ache)

LEARNING PROBLEMS – 40 (20 from Meetsetshehla and 15 from Leseding High Schools)

CONTRACEPTIVE REFERRALS – 55 (teenage learners who are sexually active were referred to the local government clinic)

FUTURE PLANS:

• To encourage more learners to use the E-Learning programme, which will benefit and empower them through extra tutoring and learning
• I will continue with health education and screening to all learners and encourage them on the importance of prevention of various illnesses.
• I will continue to help leaners with life orientation topics related to health and nutrition.

Schools will be closed for a week from 23^rd April and reopen on 3^rd May 2021 . Those in grade 12 will continue to have extra lessons.

Compiled by:  Grace (School nurse/Counselor)