Loeriesfontein Wind Farm and Khobab Wind Farm have launched a teacher support programme aimed at relieving the burden on overcrowded classrooms in Grades 1 and Grade 3. The Wind Farms have committed to funding the salaries of two foundation phase teachers at Loeriesfontein Primary School for a 3 year period.

The need for additional teachers was identified during a school visit last year.  It was obvious that classroom facilities and teachers were stretched way beyond the threshold.  Overcrowded classrooms, where more than 50 learners where in attendance, meant that both learners and teachers were struggling to cope.   Overcrowding negatively impacts learners’ academic outcomes as well as teacher morale.

“In previous years, there were a sufficient number of classrooms, however they stood vacant, now due to the upgrades at the school and the additional teachers, classes are more conducive toward learning,” explained Christo Loots, Project Manager of Loeriesfontein Wind Farm.

The teachers are appointed by the School Governing Body, whilst Loeriesfontein Wind Farm pays their salaries in accordance with the Department of Education’s framework.

Kevin Foster, Project Manager of Khobab Wind Farm added, “It is a well-known fact that children who receive quality early childhood development and foundation phase education make better socio-economic progress in life.  These are reasons why we have committed to funding the two additional foundation phase teachers for the Grade 1 and 3 classes, to ensure that affected learners receive the necessary attention to allow them to grow into their full potential”.

Loeriesfontein Wind Farm and Khobab Wind Farm follow a grass-roots, assets based approach to community development. During 2017, our socio-economic projects are primarily focused on education and skills development, capacity building and job creation in order to help local community members to achieve sustainable living standards.
Low literacy levels is often a barrier to employment and career development and in general influences downstream economic and human development. It is expected that over the long term investment in education and skills development will lead to a positive transformation in education levels and household income in the beneficiary community. “Parallel to education and skills development programmes, we support social programmes that address poverty related problems in the area,” concluded Loots.