MY CHILDREN! My Africa!", Athol Fugard's three-character play running at Center Stage through Sunday, is an ideal educational tool. The play deals with apartheid and its terrible effects on two South African high school students -- one black, one white -- and the black teacher who encourages their friendship.

Center Stage, much to its credit, staged a free matinee for 540 city middle and high school students last Thursday. The students arrived by bus and stayed after the 10:30 a.m. performance for a question-and-answer session with the three actors: Moses Gunn, who plays the teacher brilliantly; Victor Mack and Kathleen McNenny, who play the students.

McNenny said the actors were anxious to bring Fugard's play to Baltimore students, who are much closer than the average Center Stage patron to the issues of race and friendship presented in "My Children! My Africa!"