Documentary on Education launched in Plett
On Monday 1st October, LM Restaurant hosted the launch of a locally produced documentary namely: “Challenges of Inclusive Education in SA in 2012”.
Seeing that not every person in our country is book literate nor computer literate, Leigh Dunn, after doing some research on inclusive education in Europe earlier this year, decided that instead of publishing an ELSEN draft curriculum for schools to use nationwide, chose to rather try to produce a documentary on the work that Formosa Primary does, as pioneer in moving every school in SA towards becoming a full-service inclusive school. This decision was taken in National Parliament on 8th May 2012 that every school will become a full-service inclusive school, and ELSEN Units will become resource centers. The NGO Inclusive Education Western Cape (IEWC) as well as the Special Needs Directorate endorsed this decision to make Formosa Primary a pioneer Resource Center, a decision which was then broadcast during a special program on SAFM’s Morning Live, on 19th May this year, which included a commentary by education specialist Greame Block.
Thereafter, also in May, Jaymee from Daron Chatz Photography and Film Productions visited the Formosa ELSEN Unit, to see first-hand how they combine the National Curriculum Statement and the CAPS Curriculum with a unique multi-faceted approach to teaching and learning.
She was then invited to be part of a few projects e.g. choir practice, class trips, and their Madiba Day celebrations in July.
After 5 months of hard work, including the writing of suitable scripts, doing research, and conducting interviews, as well as searching for the perfect voice, which happened to belong to Russell Honeywill of our own MC90,3FM Radio Station here in Plett, who did the main voice-over, it is so exciting to see this project launched (or at least part one of this documentary completed, which will soon be available on the internet as well).
Leigh wishes to thank especially Freddy and Jaymee Phillips, Leon Swart, Pastor Johan Coetzee, Daron Chatz, and Luiz of LM Restaurant, not forgetting Russell Honeywill, for making what seemed to be an impossible project in the beginning, a reality, and thanks each of the special guests including his mom and family, especially the Harkers (who, according to him, represents his strong family educational roots in this beautiful town). Thanks also go to the honourable Executive Mayor – Councillor Memory Booysen and Deputy Mayoral couple Adam and Vanessa Van Rhyner, as well as Hilary Matthews of the Bitou 10 Foundation, for being a support system to the Bitou schools.
As Scripture tells us: “Never despise small beginnings…”, because this documentary will not only be sent off to the SABC, but will also be used by Artevelde University Campus in Ghent, Belgium, during an extensive training of Special Needs educators from developing countries (including educators from South Africa, even our own Lindelwa Mnweba – Principal of Die Sterreweg) at the International Professional Development in Special Educational Needs Conference between the 19th and 29th of November this year, and the documentary will be used as a resource to Learning Support cluster meetings in the Southern Cape, and as training material to Special Needs schools and Education District Offices.
Article: Leigh Dunn
Photos: Christy Strever