Growing food for education
Thandee N'wa Mhangwana
21 January 2004
A school principal in Limpopo province has introduced an innovative way to help poor rural parents pay for their children's schooling.
He has provided a piece of ground at Hanyani High School outside Giyani where they can grow fruit and vegetables to sell and raise money for their children's school fees.
"Most of the parents around here are poor and we can't deny their children the right to education," said soft-spoken principal Maxangu Hlungwane. "At the same time we can't just let them not pay school fees. That's when I got the idea for the fruit and vegetable garden."
His passion for his school has proved infectious, as both teachers and pupils have worked hard to maintain a 100% pass rate for the past three years. Last year, 74% of the school's matriculants achieved university exemptions.
The gardening project began with the school governing body's full support in 2001. The the schoolyard was fenced in and space was allocated
for a vegetable garden and fruit orchard.
"Most of the children help their parents in the garden after school, because they know it's for their own good," Hlungwane said.
The garden is also used for practical school lessons. "It's a win-win situation," said Hlungwane.
Grade 10 pupil Judas Masingi's parents are among those who work on the project to pay for his school fees. "I'm glad we have this project," he said. "It helps poor children be like the rest."
The school works closely with a private school called Khanyisa Education Centre, which provides Hanyani with general support and advice and has set up an exchange programme.
The school also raises more funds by leasing out its tuckshop on a six- to 12-month contract, while community members also pay to use the school's computer facilities.
"We make them pay a small annual fee and we use the money to upgrade the computers," said Hlungwane.
The school's next challenge is to install a borehole
to address water shortages. "If we get a borehole, at least we will be one step ahead of the drought," Hlungwane said.
Source: BuaNews
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