"It takes a village to raise a child"
Parishes
With an estimated 56 000 local churches across all denominations in South Africa alone and 26 000 public schools, the ratio of two to one is a real opportunity for the Church to have significant impact in education. Assuming a similar ratio across the Province, an exciting prospect for widespread sustainable action across townships, villages, suburbs and informal settlements exists, thus making parish members strategic partners in galvanizing communities into sustainable action that will ultimately see the enhancement of education.
However well the Church may establish schools, the majority of children across the Province will receive their education through the public system. Parish involvement therefore, affords the lay congregation to play a central role not only in the upliftment of education in these schools, but to influence the whole education system.With an estimated 56 000 local churches across all denominations in South Africa alone and 26 000 public schools, the ratio of two to one is a real opportunity for the Church to have significant impact in education. Assuming a similar ratio across the Province, an exciting prospect for widespread sustainable action across townships, villages, suburbs and informal settlements exists, thus making parish members strategic partners in galvanizing communities into sustainable action that will ultimately see the enhancement of education.
Furthermore, this ensures sustainability in projects pursued, as whatever is accomplished will be owned by the citizens of the community. One particular aspect parishes can take part in is the development of Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres. Already, a number of these operate on church premises while others are run by parishioners in their homes or yards. The Board of Education will provide the necessary support to these in order for them to meet set government criteria.
- The church opens its facilities and for example, supervises a place for children to do their homework.
- Many churches run crèche’s and the educators in these ECD (Early Childhood Development) centres need training to reach the required regulatory standards. Already, a number of these operate on church premises while others are run by parishioners in their homes or yards. (See examples below.) The Board of Education will provide the necessary support to these in order for them to meet set government criteria.
- The church collects winter shoes for the children of a local primary school;
- The church provides breakfast supplies to schools for children who have left home hungry;
- The church offers professional services to poor schools who do not easily have access to these skills;
- It could mean running a service of workshop for teachers at the beginning of the year or it could mean baking some cakes for morning tea in the staffroom;
- In Kwa Zulu Natal Bishop Rubin called a one day conference for Anglican educators that was attended by about 400 participants. It was perceived as extremely valuable, with a simple but profound commitment made by all to do their jobs well, as well as serve as witnesses for Christ.
- Government Interaction – In Gauteng, the former MEC for Education launched a partnership between the Department and the Faith-Based Organisations (FBO’s) under the name of ‘Faith for Quality Education’. This is moving forward rapidly after the 2014 elections, providing for orderly access for representatives of FBOs into schools. It has set up a pastoral flying squad for crisis situations (such as outbreaks of ‘Harmful Religious Practices’ in schools), and it has given permission for local religious communities to enter into partnership with a school for their mutual benefit. This can mean anything from baking a cake or fixing broken windows, through to prayers and motivational speeches at school, to counselling, homework support or aftercare at the church premises. Anglican parishes are among the local communities taking this opportunity to become involved.
- ABE continued involvement – Bishop Peter Lee, Chairman of ABESA continues to chair an inter faith meeting with the Gauteng Dept. of Education to implement the 2013 memorandum of understanding regarding how Faith Based Organisations can engage with schools