Chris Nissen Primary school is named after Chris Nissen, who was an active member of the African National Congress (ANC). He played
a big role as a minister in the 1970's and 1980's and the school school lives in honour of him and the work he did for the community of Knysna.
The school is situated in the northern area of Knysna, the jewel of the garden route. To the North overlooks a magnificent mountain range
and facing south the most scenic picturesque view of the Knysna Estuary and Knysna Heads.
Chris Nissen have a staff establishment of 18 educators and 658 learners from Grade R (reception-5 years) to Grade 7 (12-13 years). The headmaster Michael Spies supports the staff and pupils under sometimes difficult conditions with great poverty in the area. The pupils are from previously underprivileged communities and in fact many of them live in squatter homes.
Chris Nissen have a school choir and offer participation in many sports including netball, rugby, soccer and cross country.
The staff and pupils are very proud of their school and make do with what resources are available. Sadly, the playground is too small to accommodate all the children during their play time and most have to remain in the hall, even on the brightest of days.
The school welcomes any assistance of volunteers locally or from abroad. Wherever possible, sponsorship of poorer pupils within the community with the payment of school fees is sorely needed, which at R150 per year is beyond the reach of so many.
