Educational Support is an important empowerment programme for the San community The San Culture & Education Centre

Education Support Programme

In order to provide a combination of traditional and formal education for the San children, youth and adults living and working at !Khwa ttu the Education Support Programme has recently been established. The programme consists of a crèche and kindergarten for the children aged one to three years, after-school care for primary school learners and the Adult-based Education and Training [ABET] course for adolescents and interested adult employees.

Currently 13 San children are attending the Darling Primary School, who meet each afternoon with the !Khwa ttu Education Co-ordinator at the kindergarten facilities, where they enjoy intensive after-school care. Once a month parents have an opportunity to discuss the academic and social performance of their children with the Education Co-ordinator. It is also planned to assist the parents in preparing for parents-teacher meetings at the Darling Primary School in order to encourage them to represent their children’s interest.

Sessions for children, who are at kindergarten age continue to be held at !Khwa ttu from 8h30 to 13h00. On a regular basis parents are invited to meetings, where early childhood as the critical time for intellectual and social development is discussed.

Adolescents have entered the ABET programme, which is taught three times a week at the loft of the Centre’s administration building. During the mornings the youth are involved in practical training in horticulture hospitality and early childhood development. In addition, they are expanding their knowledge about edible and medicinal plants of the fynbos family.

Characteristics of San culture are an essential part of the !Khwa ttu Education Support Programme. The crèche and kindergarten curriculum, as well as the after-school care for the primary school children include storytelling, tracking demonstrations, hunting and other games and traditional dances. As a practical way of regaining pride in their heritage the ABET youth have begun dramatizing traditional stories.