A Salt River primary school principal says his passion for education was ignited at a young age and 30 years later he still finds satisfaction in his profession.
Shahid Mathews, Principal at Cecil Road Primary School, has come full circle.
Mathews was a former learner at the school, studied education and returned as a qualified teacher.
“I have never left since. The school lies close to my heart because my parents attended here too. My teaching career spans over 30 years. I started here as a learner, became a teacher, then I was promoted to head of department. Later, I became deputy principal and now I am principal.”
He continues: “I still feel the same way I did 30 years ago when I started my teaching career here. I am passionate about the future of the school.”
The school, which was founded in 1937, provides education to learners from various communities.
There are currently about 500 learners attending the school.
Mathews describes teaching as a “privilege” and says he believes in old-fashioned values and believes community support is important.
He explains many things have changed since the time he attended school there. And some of the changes he is proud to have been a part of.
“Since 2019 the school boasts its own library, thanks to a generous donor. The school never had a library, I remember I had to use the public libraries in Woodstock or Observatory. Thanks to Octotel Fibre, we now have Wi-Fi and internet access in each classroom.”
He says their vision for next year is to get projectors installed in classrooms to better enhance the learner’s learning experience.
He says while they still lack facilities like a swimming pool and a school hall, he is grateful for partnerships formed with local businesses in the area.
“Thanks to these partnerships our learners have access to a speech- and occupational therapist, optometrists and other professionals.”
The principal also makes it his mission to ensure learners have access to stationery.
Mathews says: “In the old days, we were given our school supplies and books, but the department no longer supplies. Every child has to buy their own stationery, and some of the parents cannot afford it.”
Mathews says for this reason the school has been purchasing school supplies from a leading stationery retailer in Observatory for years.
Staff and management at the retailer decided to support his cause and donated stationery to the foundation-phase learners at the school recently.
“Without involvement and support from the community and suppliers, our school cannot succeed and continue to thrive. I am very happy to have a stationery supplier like PNA on board,” says Mathews.
Last month, during a fun-filled event at the school arranged by the principal and the retailer the stationery was handed over to the learners.
The morning started with some fun and dance and goody bags containing a lunch box, juice bottle, notebook, ruler, and pens were handed over. Learners also received an orange and apple as a healthy snack for the day.
Mathews encouraged the community to continue to take ownership of the school.
“I believe in old-fashioned values of community and loyalty, and I try to teach this to all our learners. We cannot do it without the wider community.”
Mathews says he is grateful to work with a dynamic group of teachers of whom five is also former learners of the school.
- To donate to the school call 021 448 1574 or email cecilroadschool@gmail.com
