The Education and Training department runs a number of programmes, which are aimed at empowering and educating South African children, youth and adults about Robben Island.
School Tours
The objective of the school tours programme is to highlight the importance of Robben Island and heritage in present day South Africa.
Our ongoing research has shown that the Robben Island story provides a powerful method of educating youth and children to be critical, creative thinkers. Learners are engendered with a sense of identity as they explore their common, shared and diverse heritage. We believe that this programme plays a critical role in nurturing responsible, young members of civil society who have a keen sense of what a human rights culture entails.
Youth Camps
Also known as 'nation building camps', organisations and schools are invited to host camps on Robben Island. There are particular themes that get explored during these camps related to nation building such as: racism, xenophobia, education and training, sustainable development, sexism and gangsterism.
For further details please contact Sandra Daniels on (021) 409 5123, fax (021) 411 1931 or e-mail: sandrad@robben-island.org.za
Spring School
Spring School is an annual event hosted by the Robben Island Museum. The aim of the event is to bring together school pupils, from around the country and neighbouring states for a seven-day working celebration of heritage. Another strong component of the event is its educator and museum educator training programme. It is linked to the Robben Island 'On the Move' project whose objective is to take Robben Island back into the hearts and minds of all South Africans and Africans.
Spring School has been successfully held over the past three years.
The theme for each year varies according the focus of national issues and the Museum.
In 1998, the theme chosen by the learners was from 'From Imprisonment to Freedom'. Learners and educators explored the stories of Robben Island through the ages of its known history.
In 1999, the theme was 'Human Rights Education: lessons from Robben Island'. Learners explored what human rights are, examined human rights violations within their own contexts, and the responsibilities that accompany human rights.
This year and for 2001 the theme is 'Isivivane Iwazi' which has been translated loosely as memorialising knowledge. Spring School 2000 included a site hunt which had the participants identifying sites on old maps and trying to locate ruins, auditing the cultural and natural resources on the island, comparing old and new maps and creating stories and poems.
Participants throughout the three years have been drawn from schools and museums throughout South Africa.
For further details please contact Deidre Prins:
Telephone +27 (0)21 409 5123
Fax +27 (0)21 411 1931
e-mail: deidre@robben-island.org.za
