Today the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature Portfolio Committee on Education delegation visited schools in the Uitenhage District. The schools visits is an annual programme of the Legislature aimed in assessing schools readiness at the beginning of each school year in terms of what is happening in our institutions of learning.
The delegation led by the Committee Chairperson, MPL Fundile Gade, comprising MPLs, Legislature and district officials, Uitenhage District Forum and stakeholders with an interest on Education, visited two schools in KwaNobuhle-Uitenhage. In Phaphani High school the delegation was alerted of pressing issues which needed urgent attention. The School principal, Mr Mzwandile Coba advised the Committee on the status of the school highlighting its challenges.
Hon. Fundile Gade indicated that these engagements help provide institutional support and in finding remedial measures on reported challenges. The school matric pass rate dropped last year from 33 % to 26.5%. Over the last 3 years the school performed below 50%. In 2013 the school obtained 29.4% with a slight improvement of 33% in 2014, the Committee heard.
As the Committee we also noted that the recruitment strategy of the department is not heading to the call of a teacher in front of a learner. This was after the school reported a deceased educator in April 2015 who was only replaced in January 2016. We advised in such instances for use of walk-ins on contractual basis until the recruitment process is finalised, said the Chairperson.
Last year alone the school encountered five burglaries where their computer laboratory was also broken into, the Principal reported. The Committee Chairperson stressed that district intervention is needed in this school and in the feeder schools as well for quality output. The District Director was requested to reflect on their turnaround plan for the school.
Solomon Mahlangu High School on the other hand proved to be a shining example in the District and the province. The school continues to produce good results with a 76% pass rate this year. They also have a top learner in the district with 7 distinctions. The Committee is expected to compile and consolidate its report with findings for tabling in the House.
For inquiries kindly liaise with:
Buli Ganyaza
Cell: 071 642 3490
E-mail: bganyaza@ecleg.gov.za
