History
The projects chosen were: • Development and Leader Programmes for 38 School Principals • The EQUIP Whole School Management and Development implemented at 7 schools. • The Schools Development Unit (UCT) Maths and Literacy Project implemented at 7 schools.
2003
In September 2003 Lois Kleyn joined the Trust as the only full time staff member in the position of Trust Manager.
2004
During the course of 2004, the number of projects increased from 2 to 8 and the number of schools in which we worked increased from 7 to 15. The additional projects were:
- The Arts and Culture project
- The Junior Town Council
- Post-School Youth Forums
- The Molteno Project
- The Feeding Scheme
- DIRECT Whole School Development and Management.
Additional staff were appointed in both the office and in the various projects. A part-time administrator and a part-time fundraiser were appointed. Eight part-time staff members joined the Art and Culture projects, and a coordinator for the Junior Town Council and Youth projects was appointed, and a facilitator for the Molteno Project joined Enlighten. The Feeding Scheme was introduced and a driver appointed.
2006 and 2007
Over the past two years several other changes have come about. The UCT Maths and Literacy Project has come to an end and the EQUIP School Development Project finished.
- Sunshine Foundation Project Childhood Development Project,
- Training and Entrepreneurial Development Project
2007 saw the beginning of this exciting project. After much research the Sunshine Foundation offered to fund an integrated education and training project in the Hermanus communities through Enlighten. This initial offer was then extended to include the funding of a building, out of which all education and training initiatives could operate.
The Enlighten Trust was responsible for the management and implementation of the project in its entirety. The Overstrand Municipality agreed to the purchase of the land for the building, and construction commenced in mid 2007.
The Education and Training components introduced:
- Early childhood development programme, with the focus on literacy and numeracy
- Training of primary school teachers in maths/science/literacy
- Small Business Start-up and Support
- Post-school Vocational training for unemployed youth.
1. Early Childhood Development programme (focusing on literacy and numeracy): The motivation for this was the dire need for young children from disadvantaged communities for early numeracy and literacy in preparation for the Enlighten maths/literacy/science programme in the primary schools. This includes teacher training and the provision of books and equipment and books for young children. This was implemented in 5 existing centres and grade R classrooms in Hermanus.
2. Training primary school teachers in maths/science/literacy: This project built on previous and existing programmes and was aimed at a vital stage of the development of a child, viz the first years of formal school, Grade 1 – 3 (Foundation Phase). By laying proper foundations with this age group, interventions with older learners will be far more effective and increase the number of learners opting to write higher grade mathematics.
3. Small Business Start-up and Support: The need to promote small business and entrepreneurship, particularly in the light of the lack of job opportunities, is widely recognized. This programme seeks to identify and support new entrepreneurs and to expand and grow existing small businesses.
4. Post-school vocational training for unemployed youth: In Hermanus, the hospitality and construction industries have been identified as critically requiring skilled employees. This project aims to train 40 youth for both hospitality and construction. Apart from the technical training , trainees will be given courses in English for will include, life-skills, workplace ethics, personal presentation, etc. The construction skills trainees will do their on site training on the Enlighten Building.
New Projects in 2010
- Brombacher Mathematics
- BIG VISION – IT support for Literacy and Numenracy including mobile computer laboratory
- Early Childhood Development – PERSONA DOLLS
Current Projects:
All the projects which are implemented by the Trust complement and support each other. The interventions in schools are approached from management, curriculum, youth and social perspectives.
- Management: Whole school development and management is based on the 9 focus areas stipulated by the Department of Education. Focus areas include financial management and administration, safety and security at schools, SGB Management, community and parent involvement, teaching and learning.
- Curriculum Interventions: Curriculum Interventions support the teaching and learning focus areas of the whole school development and management. Technology, Maths, Literacy and Science, Arts and Culture – Music, Art, Dance, Drama, Pottery, Puppetry. Grade 8 – 12 Tutoring – Accounting, English, Science, Mathematics, History etc. Business Ventures and small business development is part of this work.
Numeracy and Literacy remains a focus area. In addition to the Laboratory at the Enlighten Centre there is now a project called the BIG VISION which provides IT support plus a mobile computer laboratory to reach all the schools in our area.
Aarnout Brombacher provides a new slant on mathematics in a new initiative.
- Early Childhood Development has grown and becomes a focus area – we provide ECD Training and Outreach as well as support an ECD Enrichment Centre.
- Youth projects and Social projects bridge the gap between the school and communities and deal with issues that impact on the functioning of the school as a whole. Enlighten Education Trust thus supports the 9 focus areas of school development in a holistic manner.
- Youth projects
- Life Skills Camps
- Junior Town Council
- Youth Programme (Grade 10 – 12)
- Social projects:
- School Counselling
- Special Needs
- Feeding Scheme