Matjana Community Preschool
Kaphunga Swaziland
Matjana is a not-for-profit, community preschool in rural Swaziland
Matjana becomes a Registered Primary School and Non Profit Organisation
Written by Michelle Brear
On June 18th the Swazi Ministry of Education approved Matjana Preschool’s application to become a MoE registered community preschool. The school is now teaching in accordance with the MoE’s syllabus and officially operating as a non-profit organisation.
Registering the preschool was a very important step in the school’s progress. Registration obviously makes the school legitimate and official but there are also practical benefits.
“The kids will benefit from learning from a syllabus developed specifically for preschool aged Swazi kids. The MoE syllabus is also making life easier for the teachers as it provides lesson plans and activity sheets,” Ncobile Mbonane, one of Matjana Preschool’s teachers told us. “There are also some kids in the community who are eligible to apply for government funding for preschool fees and a uniform.
"However the government only provides such grants for kids attending MoE registered preschools.” Since registering with the MoE, MPS has also adopted a constitution. It clearly states the non-profit nature of the school, but also provides a framework for parent and community involvement in its day to day running.
A management committee of parents and teachers has been elected, which means the parents have the right to make decisions about the school. The constitution also encourages volunteer involvement in the school and as a result parents have already offered to help with relief teaching, collecting the schools water supply and helping maintain the buildings.
