New early childhood development centre opens in rural Northern Cape

A new early childhood development (ECD) centre has opened in Maruping Village, about 15km from Kuruman near Kathu, providing improved learning facilities for young children in the rural Northern Cape community.

The new Reaiteka Pre-School was built through a partnership involving the Santa Shoebox Project Legacy, the Centre for Early Childhood Development (CECD), Breadline Africa and Kathu Solar Park.

Until recently, the centre's 64 learners, aged between three and five, were taught in overcrowded and unsuitable facilities.

While 38 children attended classes in two prefabricated classrooms funded through the Kathu ECD Project, another 26 were taught in a rusted corrugated iron structure that became extremely hot in summer and cold during winter.

The partners invested R900,000 to construct a new brick-and-mortar building, providing safer classrooms and improved learning spaces for learners and teachers.

Santa Shoebox Project chief executive Deb Zelezniak said the project aimed to improve opportunities for children in disadvantaged communities.

"This project is about restoring dignity, creating opportunity and investing in the future of children who deserve every possible chance to thrive," she said.

Reaiteka principal Vivian Kilelo said the centre has 64 learners, supported by three teachers, three teaching assistants, two kitchen workers and a gardener.

"The new classrooms allow us to separate learners by age group and teach them in a safe and suitable environment instead of a shack. This will improve learning conditions and give every child more space," she said.

The Reaiteka project is the first collaboration between SSP Legacy, CECD, Breadline Africa and the Kathu ECD Project, which is supported by Kathu Solar Park.

The centre is one of 27 ECD facilities participating in the Kathu ECD Project. In addition to the new building, teachers and school leaders receive professional development and governance training through CECD in partnership with Africa A+ Schools.

The centre has also received educational resources, first-aid training, health and fire safety equipment, and support with registration through the Department of Basic Education. It has since achieved conditional registration status.

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