The acting principal of Natest Primary School, Anesh Premchand, refers to himself as a “professional beggar” because of the vigorous fund-raising drives he must steer to keep the school operational.
Despite serving mainly underprivileged pupils from areas including KwaMashu, Inanda, Blackburn Estate and Mount Morriah, the 52-year-old school is ranked quintile five, which to him is wrong.
Not only is it a fee-paying school, but it is regarded as being the least poor of the five quintiles.
“Ninety percent of the pupils come from townships and only 25 percent of the school fees, which cost R750 a year, are paid.
“Because we have windows, doors, water and electricity, we are considered better off than other schools, but no one takes into consideration the poor community we serve,” said Premchand.
The school accommodates 500 pupils from Grades R to 7 and has 15 teachers.
“These children don’t even have breakfast or lunch to eat, so they come to school hungry. The Amazing Grace Church has therefore come on board and provides these pupils with porridge every morning and they get a hot meal for lunch as part of the Department of Education’s school nutritional scheme.”
He said funding was the main challenge.
“We get R67 000 a year from the department and most of this is spent on stationery and textbooks. There’s only a minimal amount left. Our monthly operational expenses amount to R50 000 for things such as water, electricity, cleaning services and security.
“So as you can imagine, we have to vigorously fund-raise to pay for these amenities. We live on hope and a prayer.”
Premchand joined the school as a teacher 15 years ago and began serving as acting principal last month.
To keep its head above water, the staff embark on various fund-raising initiatives. One is a mini debs ball, which draws in the most money – between R80 000 and R100 000 a year.
This year the event will be hosted on September 4.
Another drive is its fun runs – earning around R10 000.
A golf day can draw in about R30 000 and then there are cake sales and civvies day (casual clothes day).
The premises has a crèche for children who will later enrol at the school. Church services are also held – all aimed at attaining an income.
“We have to always think ahead on how to raise money.”
Premchand said that fortunately the school had managed to avoid the red and stay clear of municipal debt.
Regardless of their situation, the community, as well as members of the Friends Without Borders Mount Edgecombe, have always lent the the school a helping hand, he said.
He felt proud that Nelson Ponnen and his team from Friends Without Borders had refurbished the library and that POST had come on board to help stock its library.
Premchand said they hoped to make the library multi-functional by acquiring computers and a DVD player.