BEREA — As the school calendar kicks off, the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) has attached at least 32 reception classes in Berea district which for the first time today (Wednesday) experienced the back to school campaign.
This was confirmed by the acting District Education Manager, Ms. Palesa Melamu during an interview with the Agency on Wednesday.
Ms. Melamu pointed out that such reception classes are part of the foundational learning attached in seven centers of Education office in Berea district, even in the remotest parts of the district.
She further said the reception classes play a significant role in preparing children to become ready for grade 1 and to adjust perfectly in that new environment.
She said much as their learning is imparted in different ways like playing games, reading and writing, however they are also taught how to interact with the society or with other children either through proper ways of expressing themselves.
Ms. Melamu stressed that through this initiative the Education Office is trying to ensure that children in every corner of the district have access to education, therefore they plead with the parents and guardians to register their children either in Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) or at the reception classes.
Additionally, she highlighted that such reception classes and ECCD schools also ease the job of primary school teachers.
Meanwhile, Tsoelang-Pele Community Primary School is among the schools in Teyateyaneng Center which for the first time got an attachment of the reception school, whereby its Principal Mr. Makopela Tau said although they are still on early weeks of back to school; they have only welcomed six children at the reception class today.
Mr. Tau added that they were given a quota of 30 children to be rolled out, but they only managed to register 20, further expressing hope that many children are likely to show up in the next upcoming days.
When further commenting on the upper level of primary school, he noted that they have registered a total of 185 school roll on their first day which comprise of 96 girls, and 89 boys from grade one up seven, adding that they are still expecting the number to go beyond 300 pupils by next week.
Mr. Tau said despite being the day one of the school calendar, teaching and learning has started effectively, citing that they did receive stationary and learning aids late December and they will later on distribute them to the present pupils.
He said in as much as they want to maintain uniformity and oneness at their school, Tsoelang-Pele Principal pleaded with parents to allow their children to come to school whether they have uniforms or not.
Meanwhile, the Education office in Berea district has at least seven centers which includes Corn Exchange, Mapoteng, Sebetia, Berea, Malimong, Sefikeng and Teyateyaneng centers respectively.
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