“The future of an African child can no longer be compromised” those were the words from the Gauteng Premier, Nomvula Mokonyane and the MEC for Education, Barbara Creecy speaking with the parents from around Soweto at the Orlando Communal Hall in Orlando Soweto.
Premier Mokonyane and MEC Creecy in the company of senior government officials ran a series of events in Soweto to ensure the smooth running of the first day at schools and to urge parents to make their children’s education a focal point.
The first stop was at Hlakaniphani Primary School in Dlamini, Soweto to welcome the grade R learners and to cheer them up. Learners from needy families were given uniforms as well. A grade five learner at the school, Lindiwe Masondo said: “I am happy because I will meet my friends and my new teacher as well as make new friends”.
Premier Mokonyane appealed to parents to take greater interest in the foundation of their children’s education to ensure they excel right from the beginning.
“We must not wait until our children are in matric to have interest in their education, but get involved from the first day of school”.
She told parents to at least visit the school every term to converse with the teachers about their children’s performance.
“When the child gets back from school always ask if they have done their homework, and there should always be a private corner in the house for children to study” said MEC at their second stop at Kelokitso Secondary School in Meadowlands where she spoke to parents.
The school principal Mr J Lekaba explained that classes at Kelokitso High had already started at 07h00 to make up for the poor 2009 matric results.
“I am confident that this year will push up to the position that we previously enjoyed. We have all committed to working hard.”
School governing bodies also had the opportunity to discuss the burning issues with the Premier and the MEC whereby they were urged to work together with the government, teachers, parents and the community at large for the better of education in Soweto.
The secretary of the National Association of the School Governing Bodies (NASGB) Matakanye Matakanye said: “The 2009 results are very disappointing and serious intervention is needed in order to correct the situation. We will be conducting workshops and seminars for educators for them to understand their roles in schools.”
Visits to schools culminated in an Imbizo at the Orlando communal hall where communities around Soweto engaged with the Gauteng provincial government on the challenges facing schools in their areas.
Issued by: Department of Education, Gauteng Provincial Government
15 January 2010
Source: Department of Education, Gauteng Provincial Government (http://www.education.gpg.gov.za/)
