Gauteng MEC Lebogang Maile to launch ‘It Takes a Village to Raise a Child’ programme in Tsakane

Tsakani – The Gauteng MEC for Education, Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Lebogang Maile, will join the community of Geluksdal and Tsakani as he kicks off the “It Takes a Village to Raise Child” Community Engagement Programme.

The programme will take place at the Faranani Multipurpose Centre in Tsakani on May 19 from 09:00.

The programme is scheduled to run over two months, and the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) and the Gauteng Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation (SACR) will engage communities on matters of mutual concern.

“These include strengthening collaboration between government, communities and local stakeholders to identify solutions, protect schools and improve education outcomes in public schools across the province,” cited Maile.

Stakeholders participating in the programme include youth formations, taxi associations, churches and religious leaders, councillors, School Governing Bodies (SGBs), community forums, sporting structures, civic organisations and other community leadership structures.

Through the engagements, the departments have created a platform that facilitates direct interaction between the government and various community stakeholders on issues affecting schools and the broader education environment.

The government recognises that education is not the responsibility of schools alone, but a societal responsibility in which everyone has a role to play.

“By thinking outside the box and putting the efforts, talents, and skills of government with those of our various stakeholders, I am confident that we can overcome the challenges facing our schools, including learner safety, crime, vandalism, substance abuse, infrastructure and funding,” Maile said.

The ‘It Takes A Village to Raise a Child’ programme will reach 46 communities across Gauteng’s 15 school districts, mobilising communities to play an active role in safeguarding schools and supporting a conducive learning environment for learners.

During the first week of the programme, the MEC will visit the Gauteng East and Ekurhuleni North districts, where he will engage with communities in Geluksdal, Tsakani, Etwatwa, Tembisa, Edenvale, Kempton Park, Birchleigh, Elandsfontein and Daveyton.