The Eastern Cape Department of Education, in partnership with Domestos and Baby Soft, recently hosted a comprehensive training session at Happydale Special School in Algoa Park.
The event was designed to equip school cleaners with enhanced skills and understanding, while also providing teachers and principals with insight into the challenges that cleaning staff often face.
Representatives from 18 schools across the Nelson Mandela Bay attended the event, where they participated in practical training sessions that covered a variety of cleaning techniques and best practices for maintaining school facilities. The aim was to ensure that the schools were not only cleaner and safer for learners and staff, but also to improve working conditions for the cleaning personnel.
The event also served to raise awareness among teachers and principals about the importance of proper cleaning and sanitation in schools. It highlighted the often-overlooked challenges faced by cleaners, such as inadequate resources, high workloads, and lack of recognition for their crucial role in school maintenance.
As part of the event, each of the 18 schools received a substantial donation of cleaning supplies, including toilet paper and cleaning products from Domestos and Baby Soft. These supplies are expected to last the schools for a significant period, helping to alleviate some of the resource-related issues that cleaners often encounter.
Wilna le Roux, a representative from School Health and Social Planning, Eastern Cape Department of Education, emphasised the importance of this initiative. “We have identified 18 schools to take part in this programme. Maintaining clean and safe schools is essential for the well-being of our learners and staff. This training not only equips our cleaners with better skills, but it also helps bridge the gap of understanding between cleaners and school management,” she said.
Different media personalities and influencers, such as Zizo Tshwete, Catherine Constantinides, and Gqeberha-born Babalwa Mcaciso, were present to help spread awareness.
“As I am a mother myself, projects like these are so close to my heart. It is incredibly important for children to be safe and their hygiene taken care of, while getting the best education. What Domestos, Baby Soft, and the the Department of Education are doing will certainly change the lives of many children, and I’m here for that,” said mother of two, Mcaciso, whose old primary school, Young Park Primary School, was one of the selected institutions.
The event was also an opportunity to foster a sense of community and support among the cleaning staff. The lead trainer and facilitator, Phozisa Malusi, said the role of the cleaners in schools is crucial.
“I love being involved in programmes that bring about change, especially in the lives of those often sidelined. My role is to make sure the cleaners first understand how important the roles they play are in the lives of the learners. The health, safety, and hygiene of these children are in their hands. They are not secondary or an after-thought. I often encourage principals to introduce the cleaners to the learners in assemblies as non-teaching staff, because that’s exactly what they are,” said Malusi.
Many attendees expressed gratitude for the chance to share their experiences and learn from one another. The positive feedback from participants suggested that similar events could be beneficial in other regions.
“We’re incredibly thankful for the support from Domestos and Baby Soft,” said a cleaning staff member from one of the participating schools. “These supplies will make a big difference in our daily work, and the training has given us new ideas on how to tackle some of the challenges we face.”
“We’re passionate about ensuring the health and safety of learners across the country, and we hope the learners of each of these schools understand the value of a clean toilet, the importance of health and respecting these facilities,” concluded Mandisa Mbenenge of Domestos.
