First organised education in Bethal Due to the ZAR (Zuid Afrikaansche Republiek) “Act on lower Education” of 1882, that schools were required to be subsidised, a beginning of establishing a small school was made. This happened three years after Bethal was promulgated. The first teacher Mr. K J Fischer, a Dutchman, provided tuition between the years 1883-1885. According Rev. C F J Muller, it can be inferred that the little school was situated on the town. Rev. Muller commissioned by the Cape Synod, visited churches in Transvaal. According to his travelogue the following entry on the 14 and 15 April 1885 is found: “Tuesday morning and Wednesday morning I had a religious service in church and school building”. From 1886 to 1891 Johanna Maria Naude – born 15 August 1869 – taught at Bethal. She was the daughter of Petrus Johannes Naude, co-founding member and justice of Bethal. Rev. Andrew Murray of Ermelo encouraged Johanna Naude to go to Wellington for further training. However, she did not see her way clear [to go there], but later produced evidence that she was good on her job, judging by the Certificate of Merit, issued by the Z.A.R. Department of Education. #“... an honorarium of £5 has been awarded in recognition of her services, after inspection conducted on 25 February 1887 …” Johanna Naude – second person to teach at Bethal Johanna Naude and her pupils #translated roughly from Dutch. 15
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