Almost 60 percent of learners and several teachers at a Soweto secondary school arrived late for classes today- and they were taken by surprise when Gauteng Education MEC, Barbara Creecy and representatives from Lead SA cornered them.
Lead SA asked the MEC last week to accompany them on surprise visits to schools to check on late coming.
In his state of the nation address last week, President Jacob Zuma, said teachers had to teach for seven hours each day.
About 700 students arrived late at the Lavela Seconday School in Zola North Soweto this morning – many between 30 minutes and an hour after the 7h50 bell rang.
Several teachers also arrived late. When Lead SA’s Yusuf Abramjee confronted them, they cited travelling long distances and traffic as the reason for their late coming.
“I am very sorry. I apologise. I will not come late to school again,” said one teacher. Another said: “Yes, I know the children suffer when I am late. It is not right but I overslept today.”
Most of the students said they were late for school because they “woke-up late.” Others blamed transport.
MEC Creecy told the late comers: “We have been watching you for a week. Whether the sun shines or whether it rains, you are late. You arrive here long after the bell has rung.”
She said last Wednesday 500 learners arrived late and 400 were not on time on Thursday.
“I want you to be here at school at 7h45 at the latest. If you want to get to school on time, set the alarm clock for 5h30. Your job is to come to school and pass,” said an angry Creecy.
Lavela Secondary recorded a 51 percent matric pass rate last year – 8 percent down on 2010. “If you don’t pass matric, it’s serious,” said the MEC. “We are working hard to implement schooling here in Soweto. We are going to be working with your parents also.”
She told the late comers that they were also disrupting other people by coming late. “It’s time for things to change. From tomorrow, anyone arriving late will be taken to the Jabulani Police Station…we will then call your parents to come and collect you,” warned Creecy.
Several students promised not to come late to classes again.
Creecy said she and Lead SA would return to the school again to have spot checks. “I am here with Yusuf Abramjee from Lead SA…He is like a bull-dog and he will check on you. I promise you he will not let go until we sort out the late coming.”
Last year, Abramjee alerted education authorities to late coming in the Diepsloot area, north of Johannesburg.
Creecy addressed parents, teachers and learners and launched “Operation Wake-up”. A recent spot check showed that the situation has improved dramatically and that late coming figures are down.
Creecy added that one teacher at Lavela Secondary was dismissed last year for absenteeism. “I have spoken to the principal about teachers coming late. We will not tolerate it.”
Abramjee said Lead SA will continue to conduct surprise visits with education authorities to schools.
“We will also make a point of visiting schools that excel. While we tackle problem areas, we will give credit where we have to especially schools which pride themselves on punctuality.” said Abramjee.
“What we witnessed today was shocking. It’s a sad indictment on our education system. This ill-discipline must end. We need to hold teachers, learners and parents accountable.”
Lead SA has thanked MEC Creecy for ‘standing up, doing the right thing and making a difference.” She was accompanied by MP Munto Nxumalo and MPL Doreen Senokoanyane.
Lead SA launched the Bill of Responsibilities (BOR) in partnership with the Department of Basic Education last year. The bill encourages students “to attend school regularly, to learn and to work hard.” It also says learners “should adhere to the rules and the code of conduct of the school” and teachers should “eliminate unprofessional behaviour.”
Lead SA’s Pheladi Gwangwa, who is also Talk Radio 702 station manager, said: “I was more shocked at the late coming of the teachers. They should be at school long before the learners arrive, preparing their lessons and ensuring that learners arrive on time. What example are the educators setting?”
Enquiries:
Yusuf Abramjee (Lead SA)
Cell: 082 441 4203
Charles Phahlane (Gauteng Department of Education)
Cell: 071 860 4496
