R950 000 Donation Sees Hall Construction At Sought-after Rural School Outside Howick
For Immediate Release:
02 June 2022
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A deeply rural and significantly under-funded high school, outside Howick, catering for almost double the number of learners it was designed for now has a hall, the result of a R950 000 donation. The hall construction at Mconjwana High School, in Dulela, outside the midlands town, was funded by the South African Muslim Charitable Trust (SAMCT) and was officially handed over by the organisation during a recent function.
Commenting on the hall hand-over, SAMCT representative, Mr Shabir Chohan, said: “In spite of being located in a deeply rural region and serving a disadvantaged and largely poverty-stricken community, where unemployment is rife, Mconjwana High School has an amazing educational track record, thanks to an incredibly dedicated team of management members and educators, coupled with a most pleasing commitment to learning by attendees, past and present.”
“This is quite remarkable and most commendable, given that some 60% of the school’s learners come from single-parent homes or have grandparents as caregivers, while the balance have lost both parents. In spite of this tragically negative aspect, learners here willingly dedicate themselves to academic achievement and, in this endeavour, are clearly supported by a hugely committed and skilled staff team intent on helping learners overcome such devastating social challenges by affording them the best possible start in life – a fit and proper education.”
Unfortunately, the school has become a victim of its own success. Designed to cater for 800 learners, its current intake is 1 475 – almost double its optimum learner population. “This has led to overcrowded classrooms, problems with exam-writing facilities and having to hold school assemblies in an area open to the elements and changeable weather conditions – an absolute nightmare for management, made worse still by the fact that as a no-fees school, it lacks the money to develop the physical facilities necessary to effectively promote the further development of its learners. A hall was identified as being important for regular parent-teacher meetings, matric examinations, sporting activities and full school assemblies. This need took on still greater importance with the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic and need for social distancing within schools – a feat totally made almost impossible here because of the school hosting almost double the number of learners for which it was designed,” he said.
Mr Chohan added: “In view of this, the South African Muslim Charitable Trust was very pleased to assist in providing R950 000 to fund the construction of a hall at the school.” The SAMCT, created in 2008, was established to provide funding, services and other resources for the improvement of the lives of the vulnerable, deprived and disadvantaged. It has successfully delivered solutions throughout the country, irrespective of race or religion and works to support needy organisations in the fields of health, social development, poverty alleviation and education.“I am confident that this new school hall will more than fulfil all that is required of it, especially in terms of accommodating learners safely and warmly – away from the vagaries of the local weather conditions. My hope is that its construction will serve to reaffirm the dedication to education so wonderfully displayed by both teachers and learners to date. I wish all those associated with Mconjwana High School well in continuing to make such a positive educational impact in the face of the most difficult of circumstances,” Mr Chohan concluded.
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For more information about SAMCT or its Mconjwana High School Hall donation, please contact:
Rasheeda Motala
Social Responsibility Officer
Tel: 084 506 2280
Email: samct@samct.co.za