In an effort to help local children learn more about their rights and responsibilities, students of Stellenbosch University (SU) visited Idas Valley Primary recently.
The initiative sprang from Liam Gillesen, who shared his idea of a kid-friendly Bill of Rights with fellow students, expressing his desire to engage with learners at various schools.
From there, the planning meant countless meetings, meticulously planning every detail for weeks to ensure seamless execution. Gillesen took charge of securing sponsors while entrusting the lesson planning to the Education Student Committee (ESC) and the Education Social Justice Committee (ESJC), both of which poured their efforts into crafting a polished lesson plan.
Throughout the process chairperson Zoe Grace Bennett provided invaluable support, regularly checking in and offering assistance wherever needed.
The team contacted Idas Valley Primary and received a warm reception and exceptional hospitality, which made the visit truly memorable. “The principal welcomed us warmly, expressing his eagerness for future collaborations and initiatives,” Angela Rantoa related.
The learners’ enthusiasm and attentiveness were palpable as they eagerly participated in discussions and activities.
However, the students said they would have loved more time with the learners and already had plans for future visits, aiming for longer sessions to deepen their engagement.
“I extend my deepest gratitude to the dedicated staff and collaborative efforts between the Law and Education faculties,” Rantoa said.
“A special thanks to everyone from the Education Faculty who contributed to the success of this initiative. While our bond with Idas Valley Primary is strong, we’re excited to continue our outreach to more schools in the future.”
She said although the South African Constitution is globally renowned, very few people know its contents, and this needs to be changed. The law lies at the heart of South African society and has played a massive role in transforming the country and ensuring all our people can reach their potential.
Rantoa said it is therefore crucial that people know their rights. For this reason, the Juridical Society was thrilled to be part of an initiative that introduced the Bill of Rights in a fun and creative way to children.
“Idas Valley Primary is an amazing school with such passionate staff,” Rantoa pointed out. “The school is aware of its role as the heart of the community and is succeeding at their constitutional task of helping to raise the next generation. They immediately welcomed us and assisted us in making sure that this experience was pleasurable for everyone.
“Overall, the children really loved the session that was presented by the education student committee, and they engaged well with the topics which were covered in the session.”
The students hope is to help plant the seed of active and engaged citizenship early in children so that they can really become leaders and game changers in their community. The students said this was the first of many lessons presented and hoped to reach many other schools and learners.
“We hope the children will go out and share what they have learnt with their friends and family,” Rantoa said. “So much can happen when a county’s people are aware of their rights and can understand the law. This is another initiative that confirms this.”
