PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The Bitou 10 Foundation is on a drive to collect more than 4 000 disposable masks for several schools in Bitou to ensure that learners can remain behind their desks during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Foundation spokesperson Cindy Wilson-Trollip said that principals from several non-fee-paying schools had expressed an urgent need for masks for learners, as no learner may attend school without a mask.
"Our aim is to keep our Bitou learners in school, affording them an equal opportunity to learn," Wilson-Trollip said.
The foundation has set up collection bins across Plettenberg Bay and is urging residents and visitors to purchase a pack of disposable masks and drop them off in the bins. The drop-off points are at Pick n Pay, Beacon Isle KwikSpar, Park Avenue Stationers, the Plett Tourism office, Melville's Spar, NG Kerk Wittedrift, Plett Medicine Depot and the Clean Shop.
The drive started on 1 October and is expected to run until 30 November.
The schools being supported by the campaign include Crags, Wittedrift, Formosa, Kwanokuthula, Phakamisani, Kranshoek and Harkerville primary schools, as well as Murray High and Plettenberg Bay Secondary.
The Bitou 10 Education and Development Foundation provides support services to nine government schools. About 80% of these schools are based in under-resourced semi-rural communities and townships around Plettenberg Bay. The organisation provides resources to enrich teaching and learning, to inspire learning and to enhance opportunities for all learners in the Bitou community.
Their projects focus on several areas including early childhood development, literacy development, mathematics development, youth development, curriculum support for teachers and technology for e-education.
"The work has never been as important as now during the past year when education has fallen way behind targets and progress, due to Covid. We have continued to work with handbooks especially designed and printed for parents and learners to use at home, aligned with the school syllabus, and on Zoom," said Wilson-Trollip.
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