Dr Bettye Bouey-Yates Educational Foundation of Washington D.C. USA, last week handed over the latest CAPS compliant Science and Mathematics resource kits together with Mobile and Reference Libraries at Clernaville Primary School, in Clermont Pinetown.

It is envisaged that these resources will contribute to an improvement in the learners’ performance in Science, Technology, Engineering and Literacy at school level so that more learners can pursue careers requiring these subjects at tertiary level which is essential to the economic growth of our country in future years.

The project was officially launched at a glittering function held at the Clernaville Primary School on Thursday 6 June 2019. Representatives of the Director General’s office from the Department of Education Kzn (DOE); Dr Bettye Bouey Foundation and Governing Body and Community members were all present to witness the momentous handover event last week.

An excited Dr Jobe, the SGB Chairman said that “this investment in resources at our school will provide for not only the upliftment, but - more importantly - the educational empowerment of present and future learners from this area” The Dr Bettye Bouey-Yates Educational Foundation is a tribute to the work of Dr Bettye Bouey-Yates. Dr Yates visited South Africa during apartheid to support Black and Coloured teachers and to assist them and their families in dealing with the harsh realities of their daily lives including false imprisonments.

After Nelson Mandela's election as President of South Africa, Dr Yates decided to return to South Africa to see and experience the changes that had taken place and more importantly to also improve the lives of the less fortunate by providing assistance to previously disadvantaged schools. “We welcome those who are working to make a difference in the lives of children throughout the African Diaspora and we look forward to working together to improve the lives of our children” was the message from the President, Brender Gregory.

Clernaville Primary Principal, Mr Zamani Ngidi, and his team have long been passionate about the active promotion of science education and Literacy, in spite of lacking the necessary and appropriate laboratory facilities and books. The learners at the school are so keen and enthusiastic about Science and Reading, so this is the best present ever for us, said an excited Ngidi.

Mr Craig Cowgill representing the Dr Bettye Bouey-Yates Educational Foundation said that “We hope that these resources will help to improve the performance of our learners in Science subjects and literacy at the school. We appeal to all of you and the local community to take care of these resources as it is an investment in the future of our community said Cowgill.

The project was coordinated and managed by Ahmed Motala of the New Africa Education Foundation, an NPO that has partnered with Dr Bettye Bouey-Yates Educational Foundation to roll out the project.