Community arts programme launched in local Parkwood schools

8 March 2016

The City of Cape Town’s Social Development and Early Childhood Development (SDECD) Department is partnering with four Parkwood schools to present a 6-week community arts programme that is aimed at promoting healthy social development for learners at risk due to personal circumstances.

Natasja Solomon, the Community Family Officer for the SDECD Southern District, is leading the initiative which launched on Monday, 8 February 2016 and runs until Thursday, 17 March 2016. A total of four schools were selected to take part in the programme. These include:

Plantation Road Primary
Hyde Park Primary
Parkwood Primary
Battswood Primary

Teachers at the participating schools assisted in identifying vulnerable learners who were expressing behavioural and attitudinal challenges within the classroom.

The Arts Impact Life Skills Programme (AILP) offers particpants the space to recharge, grown and have fun with the arts in a creative, stimulating and healing environment. The programme gives the children the chance to learn social skills and meet developmental milestones through play and interaction with their peers through the arts. Participants are also encouraged to reach their full potential by letting them develop their unique talents and interests. The children also have the opportunity to process and express their feelings as well as build friendships.

This programme was made possible thanks to a ward allocation grant of R30 000 for disadvantaged youth from Cllr Monty Oliver and should go a long way towards giving these children an opportunity of becoming better citizens.

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