A school nurse transforming the lives of children in South Africa

School nurse Sister Grace looking at new equipment in the Waterberg Innovation Centre

SCHOOL REPORT FROM APRIL – JUNE 2024

Dr Peter Farrant of the Northern Education Trust says, “The work is running well and the service provides a lifeline for many children.”

Sister Grace’s day extends from 08:00-16:00hrs from Monday to Friday. Her office and reporting centre is at Meetshetshela Secondary School just outside Vaalwater in the centre of the Waterberg. She visits other schools once a week. These include Leseding Secondary School, Mokolo Primary School and Mahlasedi Primary School, with occasional trips to Motlakamothala High School 25km out of Vaalwater.

Learners come to see the school nurse with headaches, coughs & fevers, allergies or asthma, injuries, menstrual issues or for mental health support due to anxiety, stress or depression.

“I do provide group health education and guidance per class when there’s free learning period upon arrangement with the teachers. I help learners in the junior classes with career choices and subjects which are linked to each career to enable them chose the right subjects when promoted to senior grades. Other topics are sexual reproductive health, puberty and various methods of contraceptives to girls.”

Waterberg school pupils gather for a sex education lecture — Waterberg school pupils gather for a sex and reproductive education lecture

“LEARNERS GATHERED AND ATTENTIVELY LISTENING TO SEXUAL & REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH TOPIC“

School nurse Sister Grace discuses career choices with Grade 9 pupils of the Waterberg

Learners are encouraged to discuss:

Common forms of Gender Based Violence.
Teenage pregnancy, contraceptives, STIs and sexual abuse both in school and homes.
Importance of education and aspirations with the hard work and dedication involved.

GRADE 8’S RECEIVED THEIR LEARNING TABLETS LOADED WITH DATA TO BROWSE SCHOOL WORK AND DOWNLOAD TEXT BOOKS TO READ — GRADE 8s RECEIVED LEARNING TABLETS LOADED WITH DATA and TEXT BOOKS

Learners are motivated to take their studies seriously and accept discipline.
They are encouraged to take part in physical fitness to enhance mental capability.

Schoolgirls gathering for a netball tournament in the Waterberg — Schoolgirls gathering for a netball tournament with other schools in the Waterberg

PROGRESS:

Grade 12s attended educational camps in the Waterberg District and were offered extra classes in a quiet and conducive environment to prepare for their final examinations.
Regular school inspections by officials from the Department of Education motivate teachers on ways of helping learners to archive better results.
Extra classes are provided for all learners after school and on weekends to help them to catch up. Teachers are willing to offer their time.
Reduction in teenage pregnancy numbers due to availability of contraceptives.
Free sanitary pads are distributed to girls on a regular basis to ensure they don’t miss classes. The Department of Education provides schools with disposable pads.

EVERY GIRL LEARNER DESERVES FREE SANITARY PADS — EVERY FEMALE PUPIL DESERVES FREE SANITARY PADS

CHALLENGES:

Relocating teachers affects learners who must adjust to new teaching methods and expectations.
Disruption of familiar relationships and trust.
Learners experience fatigue due to long hours spent at school.
To much work is given to learners resulting in some failing to cope or submit school work.
Withdrawal of buses transporting learners led to increased number of late arrivals or absenteeism.

School sports for girls of the Waterberg

OTHER EXCITING OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEARNERS FROM SURROUNDING SCHOOLS:

The Waterberg Innovation Center based at Meetsetshehla Secondary School in the Waterberg District of Modimolle Mookhgopong Munucipality aims to equip learners with enrichment classes from grades 4-9 & 10-12 in subjects such as Physics, Mathematics, Natural Science, and Technical Science. The Northern Education Trust has been supporting for about two years.

Dr Farrant tells us, “The Northern Education Trust has paid for the renovation and refurbishment of what were the teachers’ quarters at Meetsetshehla School, and the WIC have provided the labour for the project. The result is an office block, where Grace also has her office.” This includes a kitchen to provide refreshments for pupils attending enrichment classes.

The Waterberg Innovation Center provides enrichment classes aimed at scholars of all Waterberg schools. The subject list includes Physical Science, Chemistry, Biological Science, Mathematics, Numeracy, Reading and literacy, Career planning and career guidance.

Th expenditure by NET has been significant, but we think that the programmes are good. They now must start being implemented. You will see a wish ( or needs list) attached to the report.

The Northern Education Trust is not directly involved in the administration or presentation of the programmes, but we are supportive of the organization.

Learners will also be engaged in a reading competition, spelling bee, career expo and career exhibition along with other activities.

WISH LIST FOR WATERBERG INNOVATION CENTER:

Mobile Lab
Science Exhibit
Branding for the center
Lab equipment such as microscopes
Transportation bus for learners
Funds to reimburse expenses incurred by volunteers
We need to reach out to farm schools in remote areas

If you would like to consider supporting this amazing work, please take a look at the Donate page on this website where you can see how even small donations go a long way in South Africa.

Schools will be closed for winter holidays but Grade 12, s will continue to attend classes.

DAILY DUTIES:

Routine screening of all learners continues to take place before they enter school premises, when temperatures are checked and a register is signed. We ensure pupils are wearing proper uniform and are not carrying any items that can cause danger to other learners. This gives the school nurse an opportunity to identify learners who hide their pregnancy.

All staff members and any guests are also screened to ensure preventative measures are adhered to. Motivational speakers came from different political parties, the Department of Education, private companies and religious leaders who came to motivate learners during this hard time and to encourage them to study so they can achieve their dreams.

This was the last academic term for all schools in South Africa, with final examinations for grade 12’s. All other grades continued to attend in a phased manner, on weekly rotation, writing tests to enable them progress to the next grade.

Earlier in the year, Grade 12 learners in the Waterberg district attended a 10-day preparatory camp, run by the Department of Education, to prepare them for final examinations.

PROGRESS:

Schooling continued without interruptions or problems.
Grade 12’s wrote their examinations successfully.
Social media communication with parents from certain schools helps circulate info, using a WhatsApp group and a Facebook page.
Media learning (through TV and radio) helps learners to study whilst at home.
Extra classes were provided for learners to ensure they catch up from where they lacked with teachers willing to help.

Regular visits and monitoring of teachers by the Department of Education has ensured they are maintaining teaching standards.

The assistant agent Josias also helped the grade 12 on how to apply for University bursaries with the required information needed. This gave learners more courage and strength for the upcoming final examination.

The Mayor talking to learners at Meetsetshehla Secondary School

CHALLENGES encountered from September to December 2020

Stress and anxiety cases are seen in learners due to pressure of studying for long hours together with a lot of schoolwork and assignments to be completed.
I encountered two cases of teenage girls attempting suicide, one due to family issues and the other in denial to her positive HIV test from the clinic. Counselling sessions were conducted and will continue during the one-week holiday through home visits.
Learners who are abusing drugs are finding it hard to cope with study as they are tired, feel weak and lack concentration.
Some over-age learners are stuck in the junior phase. e.g. A 21-year-old still in grade 8 continues to come to school without progressing. The grandmother who is her carer refuses to allow her to go to a special school. There are several in this category. I plan to address this matter with the School Governing Body (SGB) and School Management Team (SMT) .
Gender-based violence has increased among learners due to petty issues. Those found guilty go to a disciplinary hearing.
Some pregnant learners are hiding pregnancies until a late stage and the policy regarding return to school after delivery is not being followed. I plan to raise this matter with the SGB and SMT.
There is no internet access from the nursing office, therefore, I receive messages late and am unable to communicate with stakeholders on time when invited for meetings, other events or to send reports. The solution has been to provide monthly data.

Challenges due to Covid-19

Some learners remove their masks when in class and some forget them at home.
No physical activities for learners to keep them busy due to the Corvid restrictions e.g. Sports, gardening and athletics
Little ones from Primary Schools are not coping with wearing of masks and need close assistance.
Some learners are not coping with the phasing of school attendance programme, requiring them to stay at home during rotational schedules.
Some learners dropped out of school and are staying at home and some engaged in bad behavioural acts like drinking alcohol and substance abuse and domestic violence.

STATISTICS for September-October when 95 learners were consulted individually:

Medical issues: 25 (Asthmatic, Epilepsy, Dental Abscess, depression, and HIV, Poor Vision and ear infections)

Social Issues: 45 (family problems, lack of support, No food at home and no proper clothes, suicidal attempts, self-stigma, depression

Substance Abuse: 10 (5 from Meetsetshehla and 3 school-dropouts and 2 from Leseding High School)

Counselling: 15 (HIV & Stigma, dangers of substance abuse, teenage pregnancy & how to deal with depression)

Pregnant: 6 (3 Meetsetshehla Secondary School & 3 from Leseding High School)

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STATISTICS for November-December when 100 learners were consulted individually:

Medical Issues: 25 (Herpes Zoster, HIV/STI, Dog bite, Asthma, Epilepsy, Visual Impairment)

Social Issues: 35 (Substance abuse, Family issues, no food at home, poor living conditions and lack of parental support)

Counselling: 25 (Depression, HIV Adherence and prevention, Contraception benefits and side effects, ways for substance and alcohol withdrawal Syndrome)

Pregnant: 8 (5 Meetsetshehla and 3 Leseding High Schools)

Minor Issues: 7 (Menstrual issues, Headaches and dizziness)

NOTE: During final term number of learners who consulted were less as they don’t come to school every day when writing exams, they are given time to study at home before writing.

FUTURE PLANS:

To continue supporting learners who are faced with various challenges
We hope to cooperate with a local pastor to establish a drug rehabilitation centre in Vaalwater, which will benefit many youths who are struggling with addiction.

If you would like to sponsor school children by providing school shoes or washable sanitary pads, please click here