An initiative aimed at inculcating values such as civic responsibility, respect, ubuntu, tolerance, and dignity among teachers and learners is taking schools by storm.
Called the Valued Citizens Initiative, it was launched in 2000 by its French-born founder, Carole Podetti Ngono, following a request from the then Gauteng MEC of education, Ignatius Jacobs.
Her brief was to craft a programme that raises awareness and teaches teachers and learners about the importance of constitutional values and how they can practise them in their everyday lives.
This led to the creation of the ‘Values in Schools’ programme, targeted initially at grade five learners, with Ikaneng Primary School in Diepkloof and Zola Primary in Soweto, being the first beneficiaries. Since then the programme has grown in leaps and bounds, involving 423 000 learners and more than 4 500 teachers in Gauteng, Limpopo and the Free State. Next year it will be extended to Further Education and Training colleges.
Podetti-Ngono said the programme appeals to learners by using simple yet engaging activities such as role-play, open dialogue, games and other extra-curricula activities.
For instance, during the xenophobic violence learners staged plays where they assumed different personae to address the theme of tolerance. Learners also learn how to practise democracy in real life situations by electing their own class monitors and motivating for their choices or why they do not prefer some candidates.
Said Podetti-Ngono: “With this programme we want to make sure that our children learn respect, understand and accept themselves, that they do not become victims of peer pressure and that they can tap into their full potential at school, higher education and work.”
Because of its popularity the programme now caters for learners from grades four to 12.
The department of social development also took an interest in Podetti-Ngono’s work and commissioned her to create another programme for youth ‘at risk’ and children who fall foul of the law. In response Podetti-Ngono came up with the ‘Restorative Justice’ and ‘Growing Leaders’ programmes.
The former has already registered some success with 307 children who showed anti-social behaviour (pilfering or bullying) already being rehabilitated. Other related programmes include Inspire, Siyakhula and the Bridging for Life programme, aimed more at creating gender awareness and leadership skills among female learners.
Teachers are trained on how best to teach these values as part of life orientation and social sciences. Podetti-Ngono said they make sure the training is spread throughout the year accounting for 44 hours while leadership training for school management takes 42 hours.
the Teacher was part of a visit recently to Hlakaniphani Primary School in Dlamini, Soweto and both learners and teachers spoke highly of the programme. Three grade four learners confessed to behaving badly but thanks to the programme they have now reformed.
“I used to be in the habit of stealing money from my mum’s purse,” said Sibusiso*. His fellow learner, Sipho* said he used to bully other learners at school while Mbali*, told of her tendency to tell lies both at school and at home.
Their class teacher, Amanda Mushi, confirmed the three were a handful and that they changed significantly since becoming part of the programme. She said the programme is not only popular among teachers but has benefited parents who have noticed a change in their children’s behaviour and attitude.
Mushi said: “The programme changed me a lot. I used to shout at my learners and call them names. But I have now grown professionally. I enjoy teaching and feel fulfilled.”
Deputy principal, Ntutho Kona, is also impressed. “It really broadened my horizons. In fact it came at the time when most of us where still grappling with outcomes-based education. But since we embraced it, teaching has never been so rewarding.”
It has also impacted positively on the learners’ behaviour: they learn how to share, show respect not only to their teachers, but also among their peers and they have become more responsible, said Kona.
The project is funded by the private and public sector. Renault South Africa is the founding sponsor and annually donates R1-million to the initiative.
Teachers or schools interested in the project may contact Podetti-Ngono at: (011) 781-9462, e-mail: [email protected] or www.valuedcitizens.co.za.
* Not their real names.