Since Mpongo Private Game Reserve transformed its visitor centre into a wildlife-themed classroom in October, nearly 2000 primary school pupils have learnt about the wonders of nature beneath its thatched roof.
The education centre was initiated by veteran teacher Wendy Francis, who teaches visiting schools from all over Buffalo City about animals and insects found in the reserve, as well as topics such as poaching, the impact of humans on the environment and ecosystems.
“Some of the children have only ever seen a hippo or a lion on TV or the internet, so their eyes light up when they see them here,” said Francis, who has taught in South Africa, Botswana, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as a stint at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University’s education faculty.
“I have a passion for wildlife and conservation and believe our children are not given enough exposure to our animals, plants, insects and their environments.
“We talk to them about rhino poaching and tell them that rhino horn has no medicinal qualities and is made of keratin, just like our fingernails.
“We also discuss snares – we even have a monkey here which has no hind legs because of a snare.”
The Saturday Dispatch attended a lesson in the airy classroom, with its stuffed zebra and animal skulls, this week.
After learning about how animals protect themselves with horns, scales, claws and camouflage, a group of fascinated Grade 2 pupils from Stirling Primary observed a mewling three-week old lion being bottle-fed.
The pupils also watched in awe as the reserve’s resident hippos opened their impressive maws to be fed chunks of bread.
“They learn so much more by doing and seeing real life,” said teacher Rachael Wadge.
The centre’s lessons are tied in with the CAPS curriculum, giving Grade R to Grade 7 pupils an extra dimension to schoolwork.
And, with the concept of learning through fun at its heart, a scavenger hunt saw children running from clue to clue, which provided answers to a quiz sheet about rabbits, zebras, emus and wild dogs.
“This is the best school day of my life,” said eight-year-old Zach Paxton.
Francis said: “We have former Model C schools coming here for the morning and children pay R30 each, but we also invite less privileged schools from Newlands, Khomga and Chintsa East, who come here for nothing.”
Along with fellow Mpongo teacher Jenny Green, she has “adopted” four schools in nearby villages where the duo plan to improve library facilities and read to children about animals and bullying.
“These schools are very, very under-resourced. We are also going to be planting indigenous trees at a Newlands school thanks to BCM.
“They have not one tree in their playground.”
The education centre is proving to be such a hit with schools that next month work will begin on converting the offices and a reception area into a second classroom.