GAS donates computers to students
 The GSSC's GAS Business Unit has donated five computers to a school of learners with Special Educational Needs.
The school is haven for learners who suffer from hyperactive - activity and attention deficit disorder. They were formerly with the Skills for Life Academy. The Skills for Life Academy has since been liquidated and the learners are now accommodated in a building owned by one of the parents at no cost.
Mr. Azwianewi Mulaudzi, Head of Forensics was on site to handover the computers. He and other officials of the GSSC were taken on a tour of the new premises, which comprises of seven new classrooms, which are currently under construction. The parents have also decided to finance the building of an additional ten classrooms to accommodate no more than ten learners each. This will ensure that each learner receives the required individual attention.
In addition to the computers donated by the GSSC, parents rallied together and donated toys, furniture, books and other educational aids to help the learners continue with their academic work with very minimal disruption.
The school is currently affiliated with the Rietvlei Akademie, this will ensure that the learners are appropriately accredited for the year's work and are able to graduate.
Six qualified remedial teachers are currently employed along with two private therapists, who are offering their services for free. Their responsibilities include the coordination of occupational therapy, speech therapy, horse riding and trampoline therapy, which facilitates in the child's advanced learning.
The school has incorporated into its curriculum the Brain Line; a home schooling distant learning concept. Through this programme, the teacher merely facilitates the course while the learner carries out all his/her tasks on the computer. Since this programme is set in the school environment, the learners have an opportunity to socialize.
The course is accredited by the Department of Education, which will see the learners writing ordinary certified matric exams.
According to Steph Jourbert one of the coordinators, the school is in the process of opening its doors to new learners in the new year.
Services of the therapist will be acquired on a full time basis once the new school is fully established.
Plans are already underway to open a private spa and party venue for hire, this will help generate extra income for the school.
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