Today as Members of the Executive Council (MECs) were in all the corners of KwaZulu-Natal; MEC Dhlomo was in Amajuba District visiting schools to see to it that teaching and learning is taking place from the first day.
Amajuba District was the second best performing district in the province with an average of 90% pass rate in the 2010 matric passes following eThekwini district. The MEC visited five schools today and is still to visit more schools to ensure that all secondary schools are opened and working.
Addressing students at Thathunyawo High School where the 2010 matric pass rate was 87%, Dr Dhlomo said; “You need to congratulate yourselves and the teachers for the hard work which is yielding good results. I hope that this year you will pass the 90% bar which was set by the class of 2010”.
He told students that, as a doctor, he has learnt and seen the risks of teenage pregnancy which also delays a young girl’s life and take away her dreams. He told them the World Health Organisations (WHO) says that any girl below 18 years of age who gets pregnant risk dying and/or permanent disability. All girls and boys must commit themselves to graduating healthy and alive.
This he said as he informed them that his department will be working with the department of education in rolling out the schools HIV Counselling and Testing (HCT) Campaign. The campaign will be targeting school and tertiary education going youth; encouraging them to know their HIV status, live a risk free life and to adopt healthy living.
"I also want to encourage you to study hard in order that you take up nursing and medical studies so that you can come back and work in your communities. The department provides bursaries and all the assistance in this regard,” he told the students.
The previous night the MEC, together with Metropolitan Life, hosted a dinner to congratulate those who performed very well in 2010. Local business committed close to R1 million towards helping students in their studies. One Thamsanqa Nxele, who wrote his 2010 matric in Watervaal Prison and obtained five distinctions, is to receive financial support from Dr Mduduzi Gama towards his studies in engineering through correspondence whilst serving 25 year sentence. Metropolitan Life and First National Bank (FNB) also committed R100 000 each towards helping students in their studies.
For pictures please contact:
Themba Mngomezulu
Cell: 072 517 5417
Enquiries:
Chris Maxon
Cell: 083 447 2869
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