Our Child Development and Youth Formation team visited the Kantolo Early Childhood Development centre in March. The team took with them learning and play materials for the children and also conducted interviews with the principal, the teachers, as well as some of the parents and children. Our most pressing challenges continue to be infrastructure, nutrition and literacy levels, but the children are adapting well to the Montessori methodology and they are enjoying their daily activities. The changes are being done incrementally and with the involvement of several stakeholders.
From the interviews conducted on this visit it was clear that GGA’s intervention in introducing the Montessori methodology at the centre is having a positive impact on both the standard of education on offer and the performance of the children. The good results achieved thus far have led to a surge in the number of children attending the Kantolo ECD centre, which currently serves 86 learners.
GGA’s Lead researcher and some of the Kantolo ECD learners.
In addition, a young woman from the Mbizana municipality area has embarked on a new learning journey with the Indaba Montessori Institute. GGA is offering this young change-influencer an all-expenses paid opportunity to study towards an internationally accredited diploma in elementary education. The candidate, who is undergoing extensive training with the institute, now has an opportunity that we believe will benefit her, her immediate family, and the rest of the Mbizana community through the community development work she has committed to undertake.
