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Because of the withdrawal of the child
maintenance allowances in its reduction to R100 per month per child up to the age of 7 it
means that it will be extremely difficult for parents in the poor rural areas to keep
their children at school. The grants were previously given to children up to the age of
18; they were substantially more. Because of the low rural wages it is doubtful whether,
without government support, parents can even afford to send their children to school,
although the fees are nominal; there is obviously no money for uniforms, text books etc.
In view of the above children will leave school by necessity, before reaching the minimum
age of 15. We therefore think that vocational training should be given in primary schools
and with this in view a horticultural centre has been established. This will also serve as
an after-school care centre in respect of the latchkey children of which there are 1600 in
the 4 primary schools in Franschhoek.
A 5 year lease agreement has been entered into with the Franschhoek Municipality for 7000
square metres of land immediately adjoining the Groendal Junior School. The Winelands
Regional Service Council has donated funds to fence in 2000 square metres of the site.
This area will be immediately confined to the teaching of horticulture initially to the
schools and ultimately to the community when the rest of the site will be developed as
market gardens or allotments.
A graduate horticultural teacher from Belgium is expected in July and the 3rd school term
begins on the 15th July.
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Last revised: June 15, 1998
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