Learners and teachers at ACJ Phakade Primary School in Nomzamo are celebrating after smashing a Guinness world record!
Along with six other schools across the country, their contribution was the participation in the life-saving stroke awareness initiative, FAST Heroes.
A total of seven primary schools countrywide were among schools in 20 countries that participated on the superhero theme, breaking the world record with 20 350 photos.
The FAST Heroes campaign is a school based initiative aimed at teaching children to recognise the three most common stroke symptoms and protect their families when it strikes.
The ACJ Phakade learners completed in the cause and smashed a Guinness world record.
According to deputy principal Ngcukana Princess Phumla, the school started the campaign last year after being selected to participate by the provincial education department.
“We were asked to register teachers and learners, and soon after boxes arrived with all the learning materials, books and posters for the FAST Heroes campaign,” she related. “We started implementing it immediately and the learners responded very well to the initiative.”
The school has more than 200 Grade 3 learners, who were all part of the campaign under the guidance of teachers Noxolo Kweleta, Xoliswa Rewu, Thandi Sindelo and Zandile Mdluta. The teachers successfully implemented the programme and taught the children essential skills they could one day use to save a life.
“The initiative, designed by a university in Europe, assists children to identify and recognise symptoms of a stroke, be it of their parents, grandparents or anyone at home,” Sindelo explained.
“The learners look out for a change in facial expression, a change in speech and the position of the arm. Early detection is important and could be vital in the quality of life after a stroke for many people.”
The school has since expanded the programme to include Grade 2 learners.
“The response from our learners has been phenomenal,” added Rewu. “They have quickly grasped the concepts and enjoy the learning material, which include superhero mask cut-outs, bright colours, playful themes and even role–play, to be as interactive as possible. It’s also helped the learners to dream big. Some now tell us they want to be doctors and pursue a career in health; it’s really refreshing.”
Phumla said news of them being part of a new world record came as a surprise to those involved. “We were not doing this for any record or publicity, but purely for educational purposes,” she pointed out.
“However, it is very motivating to the staff and learners to gain some recognition, and we are grateful to be part of this initiative. It just feels great to be part of a world record!”
