Learners at Hidayatul Islam Primary School in Kensington now have access to a play park thanks to the generous donations from parents and donors.
The upgraded park boasts various equipment which will allow the learners to learn while playing.
The school based in 10th Street has 270 learners and was opened 24 years ago.
Aziza Fridie, Chief Executive Officer at the school, says they only had access to a jungle gym.
She says plans to upgrade the park started a few years ago but was delayed due to lack of funding and the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We needed a park and this was a five-year plan. Every year pre-Covid we had a surf walk, so whatever the profit was from the surf walk we would save that money towards the play park project. This year with the mercy of the Almighty that came to fruition for us.”
The park was officially unveiled on Wednesday 26 April.
“We upgraded the jungle gym again, painting it and fixing it up. Then we also did the play area and added artificial grass. We had two concrete manholes that have been at the school for a long time. It was always an eye-sore for me. But we have revamped it and covered it with artificial grass and we put some grass inside so the learners can sit in there and have their lunch.”
Fridie says learners can now be taught in a fun-filled manner.
“There are different games and a dart board but it is also a dual purpose so you can either use your bean bags or you can use it as bowls. We also have two different types of hop scotch on it and we also have a marble section. We also have a section that is for critical thinking, where the learner has to jump to a particular shape.”
She says some of the activities in the park will assist learners that have barriers to learning.
“From a learning environment it is going to be awesome for the children. We used various bright colours. Colours have an effect on children, especially primary colours. It is amazing how the kids just went in there and started playing. Every day since we’ve returned for the second term the learners will ask me, when can they play? The bigger kids have even more fun than the little kids. There are different games that we have put there.”
Fridie expressed her gratitude to everyone involved in the project.
“I would like to thank the Almighty for granting us this opportunity, and to our board of governors for the way they manage our financials. We are thankful to our learners and parents for filling up their surf walk lists. My sincere appreciation goes out to the teachers and parents.”
