Molenbeek teacher gets national recognition | Western Cape Education Department
Molenbeek teacher gets national recognition

Molenbeek teacher gets national recognition

24 October 2019

Learners at Molenbeek Special School in Maitland created a life-size artwork to celebrate their favourite teacher, Rene Jonas. Jonas is an intermediate phase teacher catering for learners with special educational needs and recently won a national special recognition award in the Woolworths Educational Programme and MySchool Teacher’s Day Competition. Learners from across the country were invited to nominate a teacher who made a difference in their lives.

“Mrs Jonas always strives to create an environment conducive for optimal learning for her learners. This is evident in the way her learners responded to this project and all other activities in the class,” said Molenbeek School Principal, Louis Fourie.

Jonas said the artwork allowed her to bond with the learners and to create awareness around the importance of recycling. As one of ten competition finalists, Jonas received a cash prize of R10 000. The same amount was also awarded to the school. Fourie said the prize money will greatly benefit their learners.

A large percentage of the schools’ learners come from the disadvantaged sectors of our communities. “We are grateful for every cent that is offered or raised for the school.

Some of the money will be used to enhance the arts and crafts activities, as stipulated in the new draft Differentiated Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (D-CAPS) piloted for the past year at the school.

Jonas said being acknowledged and rewarded by Woolworths and MySchool has been humbling. “Special-needs education can only benefit from the exposure that our school and children have received from this award. I would recommend entering this competition to all my brave colleagues in special-needs education.”

To support the school, call 021 511 4507 or email admin@molenbeek.wcape.school.za.