🎉 Celebrating 88 Years of Making a Difference! 🎉

In 2025 we proudly celebrate our school's 88th birthday — a journey filled with growth, resilience, and unwavering dedication to supporting learners with barriers to learning.

It was Mrs Kriel’s dedication and hard work that led to the official initiation of the institution on May 4, 1937. She was a remarkable woman who encouraged people from across the country with her faith and passion to get involved with the cause of the children of Jan Kriel School. Funds were urgently needed to appoint staff, to set up buildings and to take care of the growing number of children. In 1939 they acquired a plot of farmland and the boys were stationed in the cowshed while the horse stables were furnished to be used as the New School.

In 1942 the Dutch Reformed Church took over the management of the institution and the cooperation between the Department of Education and the Jan Kriel Institute, as it is known today, was born. This follows the systematic development of infrastructure and expansion of support structures, which currently offer opportunities to approximately 550 learners.

We are thankful for how far we have come; how much our ability to support learners have progressed and to all the pioneers from the past. We remember with appreciation the Kriel-family who established the school out of love for their son, Jan. We recall our friends, donors and other supporters who allow us to continue with our purpose. And we look forward to the future and the opportunities it holds. Specialized tuition and expertise will always be expensive, but after all these years we still believe in its value.

For 88 years, we’ve been more than just a school — we’ve been a safe space, a family, and a place where every learner is seen, heard, and empowered to thrive in their own unique way.

To all our learners, parents, staff (past and present), donors and supporters — THANK YOU for being part of our story.

Here’s to continuing our mission of quality education, care, and excellence for many more years to come!

#88YearsStrong #InclusiveEducation #CelebrateDifference #SchoolBirthday #ProudlyUs

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