Schmerenbeck Educational Centre for Gifted and Talented Children
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Former names
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The Association for the Education of Gifted Children in South Africa (A.E.G.C.) |
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| Type | Public university |
| Established |
11 September 1971 (as the Association for the Education of Gifted Children in South Africa) 19 November 1980 (formally established as the Schmerenbeck Educational Centre) |
| President | Professor S.P. Jackson (1971-1979) |
| Director |
Ms Beverly Kahn (1979) Dr Gillian Eriksson (1980-1991) Ms Eva Biebuyck (1991-1992) |
| Location |
Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa 26°11′27″S 28°1′49″E / 26.19083°S 28.03028°ECoordinates: 26°11′27″S 28°1′49″E / 26.19083°S 28.03028°E |
11 September 1971 (as the Association for the Education of Gifted Children in South Africa)
Ms Beverly Kahn (1979)
Dr Gillian Eriksson (1980-1991)
The Schmerenbeck Educational Centre for Gifted and Talented Children, an organisation based at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa, promoted, encouraged and fostered the education of gifted children within South Africa. The centre was originally housed on campus in portable prefabricated buildings before it moved to a house in the Johannesburg suburb of Parktown opposite the University of the Witwatersrand's Education Department.
In 1970, lecturers in the Mathematics and Computer Departments of the University of the Witwatersrand were approached by parents of gifted children to provide challenging out-of-school activities. Thereafter, a group of lecturers established a steering committee chaired by Dr Ferrandi, and The Association for the Education of Gifted Children in South Africa (A.E.G.C.) was formed on 11 September 1971. Professor S.P. Jackson, deputy vice-chancellor and dean of the Faculty of Education, became the chairman. He held this position until 1979.
In 1971, over 150 school principals were approached to nominate pupils, who were then tested on individual intelligence tests by the Department of Psychology. 60 children were tested and 20 selected with scores over 140–160. Courses were offered in computers, mathematics, astronomy, television and chess to these 60 children, with higher level courses for the 20 highly gifted.
In 1973 Jackson visited the United Kingdom to research best practices and ensure that the programmes offered were on international lines.
In 1975 two members of the executive attended the First World Conference for Gifted and Talented Children in London.
According to the constitution, adopted on 18 November 1975, the objective was to promote, encourage and foster the education of gifted children within South Africa through liaison, information and educational programmes for pupils, parents and teachers.
In 1973, Ami Schmerenbeck of Windhoek showed interest in the education of gifted children and the work of the A.E.G.C. After her death in April 1975, her sister, Suzanne Sittman, trustee of the Schmerenbeck estate, negotiated with Professor Bozzoli regarding the establishment of the "Ami and Kurt Schmerenbeck Fund". As the constitution of the A.E.G.C. was a voluntary association and not a corporate body, the funds were given to the university. The terms of the bequest stipulated that the money be used for the practical provision of educational courses for gifted students and not for research purposes. Professor Kahn, deputy vice-chancellor, became the university representative on the Executive of the A.E.G.C. In February 1978, a meeting was held with Prof Jackson and heads of Education and Psychology, the deputy vice-chancellor, and it was agreed that a director be appointed who would have an affiliation to a university department. In 1979 the first director, Beverly Kahn, was appointed.
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