Malungeni Education & Committee

Malungeni Preschool

Preschool is an important step as an educational in South Africa as the law requires completion of a preschool certificate in order to attend grade school.

In the village of Malungeni, in the Transkei region (east central) of South Africa, there are currently two preschools: Vuyolwethu with 20 children ages 0-5, and Libhongo also with 20 children ages 18 months to 4 years.

The parents at each school pay a small amount for tuition. The curriculum consists of working with gross and fine motor skills, early mathematical skills, language and vocabulary, music, art and listening skills. When the country shut down in March due to COVID, the children remained at home. Virtual learning is not possible due to the lack of WiFi in the Malungeni community.

Thanks to Amy McGovern, AIAIA board member and a school Psychologist in Phoenix, AZ, who, along with her team at Encanto Elementary school, sent 170 pounds of learning materials (reading, writing, science and social studies) to Malungeni Preschools. Included in this were math manipulatives, art materials, building blocks and puppets.

AIAIA has provided teacher salaries and classroom supplies and furniture to assist.

Malungeni Education & Committee

South Africa Education partners

The Malungeni Education Committee (MEC) is the driving force behind all education in Malungeni from Preschool to adult education. Formed in 2019 the Committee’s goals are to improve the quality of education as well as school building reconstruction and maintenance. Once the Committee accesses needs in Malungeni its proposals are sent to the AIAIA Education Committee for approval for the AIAIA budget.

 In early 2020, with funding from AIAIA, the school maintenance upgrades were approved . These upgrades included combining containers to make larger classrooms, electricity upgrades, floor repairs, roof improvements, plumbing, installation of burglar bars and new carpeting. The building is used for preschoolers on a regular basis as well as primary grade students for study.

During the COVID lockdown, MED approved a continuation of salaries for preschool teachers who stayed touch with the children and their families.  The schools reopened in October.

The MED has enthusiasm and motivation for adult skills training to assist the unemployed with training in such areas as carpentry, electrical engineering and bricklaying.  In 2019, a three month bricklayer’s training took place with 28 individuals completing the course.  The South Africa Government funded this initiative.  Adult skills training had to be put on hold in 2020 due to COVID. 

AIAIA appreciates this partnership with Malungeni Education Committee and looks forward to supporting its education plans for the future.