Pupils get active in northern areas
HUNDREDS of Port Elizabeth primary school pupils got the chance to get active yesterday with a day full of different games to help build character.
About 600 beaming children from the northern areas lined up to run an obstacle course, try out Tae Bo and duke it out in a tug-of-war competition.
GJ Louw Primary School in Schauderville, Alpha Primary School in Gelvandale, Sapphire Primary School in Booysen Park and Kleinskool Community Primary School all took part.
Similar activities started in April with 1 500 pupils signed up for the programme.
The programme comes from Designed To Move (DTM), which aims to integrate physical activity back into the daily lives of children.
DTM project manager Kayleen Lottering said: “We have had a series of physical, sport and cultural activities that are all aligned with the curriculum. The reason is to get pupils active in the northern areas schools because it is no longer happening.”
DTM is in partnership with Nike, the German Technical Cooperation Agency (GIZ) and the Ukuvula Foundation.
GIZ technical adviser Lebogang Tlomatsane said they hoped the schools had learnt a lot and would be well-equipped to continue with less supervision.
“Based on the testimonies received, we are happy to see that things went well,” he said.
Kleinskool Community Primary School principal Sean Abrahams said the training of teachers for physical education had been the best part.
“The children are really excited about coming to school now, unlike before. There is a spirit of sportsmanship among the children,” he said.