The MEC for Education in KwaZulu-Natal, Mr Senzo Mchunu, accompanied by departmental officials, undertook a surprise visit at Mcabango High School in Uthungulu District, yesterday 7 March 2013.
This visit was the first of many where the MEC visit schools that obtained less than 35% pass rate in the 2012 NSC results. By these visits, the MEC wants to help all the “non-performing” schools to come out of the morass of underperformance.
What shocked the MEC about Mcabango High school was the high rate of late coming by learners. To MEC’s surprise, out of 546 learners enrolled at the school, 309 arrived after the school’s starting time which is 7h30 in the morning.
“I won’t allow late coming in any of the schools in KwaZulu-Natal. I have instructed all principals in the province to lock the gates and send all late comers back home. I’m very disappointed in what I’m seeing because it means learners miss 15 minutes of their morning period every day,” said the MEC.
The MEC read a riot act to all late comers. He reminded learners that school has rules and rules have to be adhered to. “You need to stop this bad conduct and take your education seriously,” he said. Overall, the MEC was not happy with the school’s culture and he admonished all educators to work very hard to ensure that the school performs better.
