NMMU at Aberdeen Primary

Aberdeen Primary School is very fortunate in having a close relationship with group from NMMU in Port Elizabeth. The “Aberdeen Project”, which is in its second year, is coordinated by Dr Laetitia Greyling of the faculty of education. This dynamic woman has a very hands-on approach, and the staff of Aberdeen Primary  are thrilled to be part of the project.

The original objective of the project was to support the school, and to improve the quality of learning and teaching. D Greyling explained that they hoped to help in two main areas, by both offering support to the teachers, and also by making the school environment more inviting and exciting for the children. She stressed the importance of parental involvement in areas where they have expertise – several fathers for example are able to help with maintenance in the school.

Amongst other activities, reading books have been donated, which enabled a small school library to be started. This is run by one of the parents. Tyres were donated (some by local farmers) and two jungle gyms have been built, sponsored by Coca Cola. Playground games such as hopscotch have been painted for the children in bright colours, and a great deal of interest has been shown by the children in these. Apart from the play value, many of these games involve counting and other number skills, allowing the children to learn through play. One of the next projects will be to plant some olive trees, to be surrounded by benches made of old tractor tyres, so that the children can sit in the shade. More donations are needed from the community, in particular old telephone poles that can be used for jungle gyms, shade cloth, old tractor tyres, and olive and palm trees.

This time the members of the faculty of education were accompanied by students and staff from the department of nursing science and campus health from NMMU. Each teacher was screened with an eye test, their height and weight checked (which caused some groans!), as well as blood glucose and blood pressure. All the children in the school also had their eyes and ears checked, and their height and weight measured. One of the visitors commented on how she almost cried when she first saw how small some of the children are, many through poor nutrition.

An added bonus for the Grade Four children was the present of a sports kit bag, which is part of the Move It programme started by the University of Johannesburg. This kit contains various items of sports and games equipment, including a soccer ball and skipping rope, with a booklet explaining different activities. The school was also very grateful to receive a donation of nonperishable foodstuffs    - one of the lecturers had been talking to one of her classes about the school, and these students had spontaneously brought in the donations.

Principal Mr Johan Minnaar receives a health check from Campus Health

Each child received a thorough health check

The visitors from NMMU

The popular jungle gym built by the project team

Dr Greyling painting playground games, helped by staff of the school