OVER 230 teachers recently graduated from a programme that helps them solve the problems they face in the classroom.
They gathered at Castle Kyalami in Midrand, Joburg, for their graduation ceremony from the Tools for Life programme.
The graduation ceremony followed a successful professional development seminar held in July. Over the winter school holidays, Scientology volunteer ministers taught them practical ways to deal with issues such as study difficulties, conflict, communication and drug abuse.
The course aimed to help the teachers deal with life situations in and outside of the classroom.
Among those who attended were officials from various education department districts, teachers and school principals.
Public affairs director of the Scientology volunteer ministers, Sandile Hlayisi, said: “It is in our power to create a better future for everyone. It starts with this generation.”
Teacher Sylvia Masombuka said the courses had changed her life. “At my early childhood development centre, I used to help parents with their children, based on what I hoped was correct. Now, I’m trained to handle every situation. I just apply one or more of these tools,” she said.
Abigail Hlayisi, the deputy principal of a school for pupils with learning disabilities in Vosloorus in Ekurhuleni, said most teachers did not understand their pupils.
“The biggest problem is that they don’t know what the barriers to learning are and how to overcome them. This programme can assist us in this regard,” said Abigail.
