Pupils get stationery boost

Fairmount High School, in Grassy Park, received R30 000 worth of stationery from Ward 65 councillor Donovan Nelson recently.

Mr Nelson, a former pupil at the school, said stationery worth R50 000 was given to Fairmount, Stephen Road Primary School and early childhood development (ECD) centres in his ward.

Terrence Klassen, the former principal of Fairmount High and current volunteer teacher, said the stationery arrived at a crucial time.

“Covid-19 hit many families who had been struggling to buy the required stationery their children need. Even under normal circumstances this was the case where learners would sit in class without writing books right up to June or July when they are supposed to be studying and preparing for the exams but do not have the notes,” said Mr Klassen.

He said the teachers had to go the extra mile to keep the pupils up to speed by duplicating the notes for those who did not have books.

“If we as a school do not assist these learners, they become despondent and drop out of school. It is very gratifying that the councillor who is passionate about making a difference in the lives of our youth has come to our assistance,” he said.

Mr Klassen said the donation has “brought much needed relief not only to the learners but also lightening our burden as teachers and the schools finances”.

“We are very grateful that the taxpayers money is being put to good, tangible use,” he said.

Mr Nelson, a former head boy of Fairmount High, said the stationery was bought from the ward allocation budget and was one of the first set of deliverables towards “a better community.”

He said: “This donation will ensure that we can create spaces that are inclusive in our schools. It will allow learners who do not have stationery at the beginning of the year to not feel out, and to get an equal opportunity to make the best of their education.”