Mary Kihn School celebrates its 85th birthday

Construction of the brown stone building of the Mary Kihn school for the hearing impaired costs just under R280 000 when in was built in Low Street more than 50 years ago, making it one of the most expensive schools built in the Cape Province at the time.

This information about the school, tucked away behind Obs swimming pool, was shared by former Mary Kihn principal, Martha Schemper.

The special needs school recently celebrated it's 85th year of existence.

It was started in 1933 by a young Scottish teacher, Mary Kihn.

"The S.A National Council for the Deaf was keen to start a class for partially deaf children in the Cape Province. Mary received an S.O.S, and so on the 3rd August 1933, the first class was started at the Mowbray Primary school with just ten learners. Mary was assisted by students from the neighbouring teachers training college," Ms Schemper explained.

The school moved to Observatory in 1966 to a state-of-the-art building specially designed to enhance acoustics and light in the classrooms.

The Mary Kihn School for the hearing impaired not only provided education for children with hearing loss but also offered audiology and other health services to the entire Deaf community in the Western Cape, which they currently still provide.

Ms Schemper, now 86 years old, said: "85 years have passed. It is most gratifying to know that the ideas of supplying the present needs of children with hearing loss, that inspired Mary Kihn and those after her, are at the strongest level ever, and worth fighting for."