First day of school receive thumbs up from Members of Parliament at uMgungundlovu District after visits

Members of the Provincial Legislature lead by Mr Sipho Gcabashe witnessed an encouraging first day of schooling at uMgungundlovu District, as teaching and learning was evident in all the schools that were visited by members today at uMshwathi Municipality.

This surprise schools visit initiative is in line with the Provincial Legislature’s Programme, which is aimed at monitoring schools functionality in the province and to ensure that teaching and learning start on time, on the first day of the school calendar.

Gcabashe was the chairperson of the team that visited two schools in the district. The team was comprised of Provincial Education officials, local mayors, councillors, Amakhosi, School Governing Body members and other important education stakeholders. After an outcry from the public in the past years that members visit few schools to realise the extent of the problems at schools.

Gcabashe threw down a gauntlet to the delegation especially the communities to keep the communication lines open throughout the year, as to which other schools where there are areas of challenge so that interventions could be made earlier to improve the quality of education of learners.

“We are very impressed about the state of readiness that we witness in both schools that we visited today. The registration process was satisfactory, showing that there was a lot of commitment on the part of the schools, parents and learners last year. The availability of the learner support material and the physical appearance of the school infrastructure is much encouraging” said Gcabashe after the visits.

The newly appointed Education District Manager Ms Jennifer Baiju had a lot to say after the visits to New Hanover Farm School and Mpolweni High School. She said that “I am so happy that the schools that we visited kept up with the three Ts that we always encourage around schools, which are ‘Teachers on Time Teaching’”.

Baiju was also so impressed that the two schools had clear strategies in place to turn around their annual results as well as the National Curriculum Statement. She also said that the district is in the process of putting together a programme which will focus on the functionality of schools and improvement of results both at Primary and High school level. She concluded by thanking and appreciating the rapid support they always get from Education MEC, Head Office official and unions.

The schools visits under the legislature programme will continue until Friday. These visits are taking place in all the districts, championed by District Champion MECs. uMgungundlovu District Team will visit Mpendle tomorrow.