Retired teacher visits ‘inspirational’ school
ARETIRED teacher has just returned from a visit to a African primary South school.
Carol Cross, from Heaton Moor, has been visiting Khensani Primary School in the Township of Soshanguve, near Pretoria, for more than 15 years.
She first became involved with the school when it was twinned with Tithe Barn Primary in Heaton Mersey, where she worked at the time, and has visited every year ever since.
This year, Carol and her husband Brian were invited to meet the new principle, and see the new school hall, which is the first to be built in the Township.
They also attended the graduation ceremony of a former pupil and daughter of one of the teachers, named Mynah.
Carol said: “The doctor who set the school up wanted black children to have as good an education as white children.
“The school is inspirational to me.
“The parents, even if they are extremely poor, have the same aspirations as our parents.
“They only want the very best for their children.
“The children are very respectful, they stand up when you enter the classroom and say ‘good morning mam’.
“They won’t sit down until they are told to sit down.”
When Carol first visited the school more than 15 years ago, it had around 150 pupils and the classrooms were dark and dreary with no displays on the walls and very few doors on the classrooms, as they had been removed for firewood in the cold months.
Today, it has more than 1,300 pupils and many vibrant classroom displays, and is regarded as one of the best black schools in the country.
All the children have school uniforms and leather shoes.
The former headteacher arranged for the school to be sponsored by South African companies, while the Rotary Club of Stockport Lamplighter, of which Carol is a member, have also backed the school.
The club bought numeracy and literacy books six years ago, when South Africa got a new school curriculum, which are still being used today.
Carol has also been asked to return to the school to help further the English speaking skills of the older pupils, with the aim of giving the youngsters a greater chance of getting a degree and a job once they leave school.