Alhamdulillah! MEIS preschool was established in 1996 and since its inception it has built up a firm reputation for excellence in education and has grown to accommodate over 80 young learners, offering a safe, nurturing and structured learning environment that is beneficial to the early development of children.
Our mission is to provide a balanced, all round education. We are dedicated to giving young children a head start in life which is relevant and appropriate to today’s fast moving and ever changing world. Our vision is to cultivate a life long love of learning and inspire them to realise their full potential while enjoying life’s journey and positively contributing to the world around them.
Play is priority in early childhood. It is essential, vital, critical and fundamental in a child’s social, emotional, physical and intellectual development. Without adequate, healthy play, children run the risk of entering school unprepared, growing into teens and adults without the much needed skills and failing to meet their potentials. There is no distinction between play and learning for children.
Educators plan and provide a range of play activities which help children to make progress in each of the following areas of learning and development:-
Personal, social and emotional development involves helping children to develop a positive sense of themselves and others, develop respect for others, learn how to manage their feelings, develop social skills and understand appropriate behaviour in a group and have confidence in their own abilities.
Physical development involves providing opportunities for learners to be active and interactive and develop their co-ordination, control and movement.
Communication and language development involves giving children opportunities to experience rich language environment, develop their confidence and skills in expressing themselves and to speak and listen in a range of situations.
Literacy involves encouraging children to link sounds and letters and to begin to read and write.
Maths involves providing children with opportunities to develop and improve their skills in counting, understanding concepts and using numbers and calculating simple addition and subtraction problems.
At MEIS a daily routine and curriculum is well established. The curriculum, whilst determined by the department of education, is Islamised, thus ensuring our children have a solid understanding that all knowledge is from Quran and Sunnah. Age appropriate lessons are worked out and we are, therefore, able to offer a formal comprehensive pre-school programme. The three subjects we teach include English, maths and life skills. Our curriculum is designed to cater for the social, emotional, physical, intellectual, aesthetic and Islamic development of children. Uppermost in our curriculum is the imparting of Islamic values to our children. Through intentional teaching practices, purposefully designed learning environment and enriched activities, educators ensure that preschoolers have joyful, appropriate and meaningful learning experiences that lead to success in school and in life.
Foundation Phase educators have the exciting and rewarding task of teaching the foundations of phonics, reading, writing and maths. Quality education is critical: English, Afrikaans, Maths and Life skills are the essential building blocks upon which future learning takes place.
One of the most important goals of this age group is to develop an enthusiasm for learning. Grades 1-3 classrooms have rich integrated learning experiences that truly engage children through flexible ability groups and class instruction.
As from 2013 we have been implementing the Curriculum and Assessment Policy (CAPS) which was developed for implementation nationally by the department of education. Our curriculum is comprehensive, effective and standards based and an audit is done by Umalusi, which is the national quality assurance body for educational institutions. We Islamise our teaching and follow methodologies extracted from the Holy Quraan and the Sunnah of our beloved Nabi (SAW).
A child’s success in school and throughout life depends to a large extent on the ability to read. Teachers are aware that with effective instruction and support all children can learn to read. Bearing this in mind reading is done on a daily basis. Learning to read is arguably the most important task of learners in grades 1-3. Learning to read lays the foundation for future learning and understanding across all areas of the curriculum. Without this foundation, learners will struggle to achieve academically in not only reading and writing but also in areas such as Maths, Science and social studies. Learners are encouraged to join the local library and borrow books on a regular basis.
In grades 1-3 it is “repetition compulsion”. Bearing this in mind homework is given on a continuous basis to reinforce instruction, encourage in depth work and instil good study habits. Parental assistance may be required for learners who find it difficult to work independently.
As these are the formative years of learners in the intermediate and senior phase, learners require much support and guidance from teachers and their parents. Falling in the age-group of 8 to 13 years old, learners in these phases face many challenges at school and at home. At school, learners are expected to be dedicated to studies as well as learn to interact with their peers and educators.
Adolescence brings with it bodily changes and various challenges for learners. Some learners struggle to find a balance between home and school life. There are also learners who are adversely affected by socio-economic problems at home, verbal abuse, exposure to bad language, alcoholic parents or family members, drug-addicted parents or family members, and learning difficulties. Our school counsellor provides support and guidance and referrals are made to other professional bodies if and when required. In this way, learners are moulded, guided and cared for ensuring for their emotional, mental, physical and overall well being.
The CAPS system (Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement) forms the foundation of teaching and learning in these phases. Assessment takes various forms such as tests, exams, speeches, dialogues, role-plays, book reviews, investigations, research and projects, which prescribed in the policy and are quite intensive. Department of education guidelines are strictly implemented in all areas of work including assessments.
The following six subjects are studied in the intermediate phase – Grades 4 - 6
English , Afrikaans, Maths, Natural Science and Technology, Social Science and Life Skills
There are nine subjects in Grade 7: the senior phase:
English ,Afrikaans, Maths, Natural Science , Technology, Social Science , Life Orientation, Cultural arts, Economic and Management Sciences
In ensuring for the development of language skills, the focus is on reading, oral work, language, comprehension and creative writing. Much emphasis is placed on creative writing for assessment purposes. Becoming a member of the library is essential for excelling in reading as well as for book review submission.
Learners are taught the essentials in order to conduct research for Social Science, Natural Science, Life Skills and other subjects. Homework is administered in all learning areas to supplement the work done at school. Ongoing homework is essential for the development of learners.
All praise is due to Almighty Allah (S.W. T) the Creator and Sustainer of this beautiful universe, for His many Mercies and countless bounties upon us. Peace and salutations upon the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W), His family and the Companions.
Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) said: “Who so goes out in search of knowledge, He is in the path of Allah until he returns”
The real essence of knowledge is to recognise that all and everything in life has a purpose. We at MEIS believe that every learner should be encouraged to reach their potential, to develop Allah consciousness and become contributing members of the Ummah. We strive to nurture these learners’ spiritual, moral and social development through a broad and balanced curriculum which is based on the Quraan and Sunnah.
The Islamic Department is driven by experienced and enthusiastic educators who captivate, inspire and inform our future flag bearers of Islam through pleasurable experiences. The following aspects Akhlaaq, Aqeedah, Fiqh, Tafseer, Islamic History, Duas and Quraan are covered in all grades at different levels. Activities are designed to help learners to develop their creative skills, unleash their potential and become critical thinkers. We aim to give them a clear understanding of deen, morals and etiquettes. Some of the important figures in Islamic History are studied and emphasis is placed on the seerah of the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W).
TAFSEER Tafseer has been implemented from foundation phase level to grade 7. We found the need to create an awareness and love for Allah’s message to mankind. We place emphasise on the short suras which are recited daily in our salaah. This helps learners to understand and appreciate their salaah as a communication with Allah and not a mere ritual. Once learners understand these suras, they become self empowered to recite surahs for protection, shifa, guidance and Allah’s mercy. Understanding of the suras in salaah help bring quality and devotion to their actions. Tafseer lessons are designed to reflect, introspect and ponder on Allah’s words.
QURAAN “And recite the Quraan in slow, rhythmic, measured tones” (S.Muzammil)
Keeping this in mind all of our students are given individual time for tuition. . There are 2 to 3 specialists Quraan educators per class to ensure that every learner makes progress. We emphasize and ensure the correct pronunciation of each letter. Learners who are proficient in their recitation are introduced to rules of Tajweed. The memorisation of masnoon duas and certain surahs of the Quraan form an integral part of the lessons.