It is indeed a privilege for me to speak to you to-day regarding the MOT programme at Spine Road High School. It is imperative to understand the context of our school, the make-up of our parents, learners and the community to better understand the value of this wonderful programme. The community which we serve hails from a history of a system that brutalised their humanity and created a society devoid of self-worth whose self-esteem has been obliterated. A community who will always believe that the grass is greener on the other side.

This inhuman system created a multitude of social misfits which requires a programme of intervention that would bring back humanity and the ability to love, back to those marginalised communities, Spine Road High School is situated in such a community. The MOT programme when introduced in 2014 had an immediate positive impact on not only the children but parents and teachers alike. In line with the holistic approach of the school the programme fitted like a glove.

MOT was implemented at Spine Road High at the commencement of the 2014 academic year. We initiated the programme with our new grade 8 learners, with a total of 5 trained presenters. Today, the programme has grown to a total of 12 active presenters and approximately 700 learners (grades 8, 9 and 10). Our first group of learners will graduate at the end of 2016.

MOT at Spine Road:

We introduce MOT to the new grade 8 learners and their parents at our annual welcoming & orientation meetings at the start of the year. The programme is compulsory for all learners.

The parents are very involved and even offer to assist or request more sessions for the kids.

Sessions:

All our learners who are currently in grades 8, 9 and 10 are involved in the MOT programme. It is compulsory for all of them to attend sessions.

Our sessions are held on 6 Saturdays during the year (the only school to do this), as our learners are engaged in intervention classes and sport or cultural activities after school. Since we have such large numbers, our presenters have to facilitate 2 back-to-back sessions on these days. We were able to minimise the groups to 20-25 learners per session.

Courage to Care Days:

2014:

We hosted our first Courage to Care Day – where the learners gave our ground staff the day off, by sweeping all the classrooms at the end of the day. The learners also collected non-perishables, which was handed over to the guests of honour in a special assembly, where we showed them the appreciation we have for the work that they do. A special poem was written by one of the learners – which was recited, as well as the MOT song which concluded many hugs and tears.

2015:

We transformed the Courage to Care Day, into a Courage to Care WEEK. During the school holidays, the presenters visited LOFOB (League of Friends of Blind) in Grassy Park. Throughout the week we conducted a few activities to raise awareness.

  • Collecting money every morning in collection tins – all arranged by MOT Youth
  • Collecting non-perishable items for the blind living at LOFOB
  • 2 special guests from LOFOB were invited to address the staff as well as the learners during a special assembly. They shared their experiences and answered questions the learners had about living without sight.
  • Selling stickers for FUNKY SHADES FRIDAY – where, if learners purchased a sticker – they could wear their shades on the Friday. We had a lucky draw for 3 pairs of Ray-Ban sunglasses which was donated to the cause.

During the December holidays, the goodies and monies were delivered by the presenters and MOT youth at LOFOB. The learners were given a tour and thanked for all the hard work done in collecting all the donations.

MOT Youth:

Last year, we also selected a group of grade 9 learners who went on camp to be trained at MOT Youth presenters. The group of learners are a great help to the teachers and assist where necessary. They also serve as MOT leaders, and set the example to the rest of the grade.

The MOT youth plan to conduct sessions at a neighbouring/feeder primary school this year. In this way, we will also get the learners excited about the school and what we offer.

Awards:

We had an extremely successful first year. Subsequently, Spine Road also received an award for the best implementation in high schools, as well as the Bronze award. Our best practices were published in the Annual Report and presented by co-ordinator, Ms Lezahn Beukes, at the AGM held in 2014.

Impact and statistics (provided by MOT):

2014 / 2015 / 2016
Trained presenters / 6 / 10 / 15
Active presenters / 6 / 7 / 12
Learners reached / 266 / 494 / 700
Learners completed the programme / 0 / 0 / 266

We are extremely appreciative of the programme as it has been an effective tool not only for the children but it has created our teachers to come out of their shell and contribute positively in their spheres of influence. We feel it’s imperative

for all schools to make use of the principles of the MOT programme and entrench it in their Life Orientation syllabi and this would greatly help to build up the self-confidence of our children.

The MOT programme has a lot to offer especially the South African society who has arrived from the disastrous social and psychological impact of the apartheid system.

To Mr Elroy Duckitt, the administrators and the organizers of the wonderful conference we say THANK YOU, NKOSI KAKU