School’s new kitchen
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TO ENCOURAGE its pupils to develop a trade, Burnwood Secondary School, in Sydenham, unveiled its state-of-the-art kitchen on Friday.
The kitchen, worth about R250 000, will benefit its consumer studies and hospitality pupils and is aimed at motivating them to become business savvy.
“We hope to develop entrepreneurs and successful young men and women for the future,” said principal Vanesh Gokal.
It features 16 work tables for pupils to chop and mix as they prepare various dishes, eight stoves and ovens, a washing area and all the necessary appliances to run a kitchen fit for a restaurant chef.
Gokal said after months of knocking on the doors of local businesses, hosting fund-raisers and asking parents for a contribution of R50, his dream was realised.
“One of our challenges was that we did not have a kitchen facility for our Grade 10 to 12 consumer studies and hospitality pupils and therefore could not have practicals, which I thought was unfair.
“I approached the School Governing Body with the idea in February and they wondered how we would achieve this. But we made requests for help and today have a fully-equipped and functional kitchen.”
He added: “Most of our pupils come from disadvantaged backgrounds and we wanted to give them something amazing to inspire them.”
Next year, they hope to get a pizza oven installed.