“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn” – Benjamin Franklin
Too often learners are pressured by having their heads buried in books and fail to learn the fundamental skills of life.
Enter, Food Lover’s Market at Springfield Retail Centre who have formulated a programme, in conjunction with teachers and learners from Golden Hours School, to provide the children with real world skills by learning “on the job.”
According to Regional Manager, Deryck Scharneck, “This programme has been implemented to provide learners with exposure to the real world, everyday life in the retail space. These skills range from assisting in the bakery, butchery and learning about merchandising, by assisting with the in store layout and floor management, right down to how to effectively pack and display merchandise.”
Undertaken on a weekly basis, small groups of learners spend roughly 2 hours in store, engaging in a range of store operational areas, learning through play and being exposed to real life situations.
Golden Hours School Principal, Rowan Hornby stated, “The children are thriving by being hands on in this sort of environment. It not only allows them to get out of the classroom but stimulates them so much so, that, once back at school, they enjoy the rest of their day. It also allows their days and weeks to not be so mundane and gives them something to look forward to.”
Golden Hours School, based in Durban North, is a special needs school not only dedicated to educating their learners but are also passionate about providing pastoral care and emotional development.