Poultry project builds practical skills at Skurweberg Secondary

Poultry project builds practical skills at Skurweberg Secondary

10 April 2025

Skurweberg Secondary School has strengthened its agricultural programme through a hands-on broiler chicken project. 
The project is supported by National Chicks, Meadow Feeds, Astral Foods and Cape Forum. The sponsorship includes 2 000 broiler chickens as well as feed and vaccinations, allowing the school to move beyond classroom lessons and small demonstration plots to running a real, working chicken operation.

Dr Mariëtte Wheeler, Curriculum Planner for Agricultural Sciences and Marine Sciences at the Western Cape Education Department (WCED), described the project as an investment in skills, employment and growth. “By giving our learners real, hands on experience in chicken production, we are equipping them with practical competencies that open doors to future employment and entrepreneurship. These are skills that cannot be learned from a textbook alone.” She thanked the sponsors for helping create meaningful opportunities for young people.

Skurweberg Secondary School principal Oxford Jack said the donation is a gamechanger. Instead of focusing mainly on theory, learners now work with real farming systems. The scale of the project enables learners to engage with management systems most schools cannot afford. Selling the chickens could also help the school raise money to support school fees, feeding schemes and the school’s overall finances.

Learners are closely involved in caring for the chickens. They take charge of daily tasks such as feeding, cleaning and making sure health and safety rules are followed. Senior learners lead the project as part of their assessments, handling data analysis, budgeting and marketing, while younger learners assist with daily tasks as part of their studies.

The project has sparked strong interest and pride among learners as they see the direct results of their efforts within a short time. The school’s farm foreman and farm assistants have also gained new skills through training and hands-on experience.  Despite challenges, the project has strengthened the school’s financial and administrative position and reinforced a culture of learning, resilience and continuous improvement.