January 11, 2006
By Ndaba Dlamini
FIVE-YEAR-OLD Sibusiso Mashalaba couldn't hold back his tears as he arrived at the Thabisang Primary School in Orlando West, Soweto for his first day at school this morning.
But the Gauteng MEC for education, Angelina Motshekga, was on hand to give the nervous little boy a few words of encouragement and advice.
The little boy, dressed in his spotless school uniform, was one of thousands who started "big" school this morning. Public schools across Gauteng began the new school year on Wednesday, 11 January.
It's back to school for the pupils of Thabisang Primary School
Motshekga was on a visit around Soweto to check whether the schools were ready for the year. Her visit to Thabisang Primary provided a fitting example of a "prepared" school.
"Things have gone quite well so far and no crisis has been reported at any of the schools around Soweto. My visit to Thabisang Primary has led me to the conclusion that most of our schools with limited resources are holding their own."
Her stop-off at Thabisang Primary brought back memories, as it was the first school Motshekga attended 44 years ago. "My mother, who used to teach at this school, used to take me with her to school when I was as young as the children in front of me," said Motshegka.
Accompanied by headmistress Yvonne Mabanga, Motshekga had a chance to tour the spotlessly clean schoolyard. She visited learners in their classrooms and was also taken on a tour of the school's computer lab "which will start operating soon", according to Mabanga.
Motshekga said there has been an increase in the number of learners who have come into the education system. Last year, there was an increase in the number of girls who enrolled and stayed in the education system and had taken "gateway subjects" such as maths, science and accountancy.
She also had a chance to commend the girls for excelling in last year's matric examinations.
"I want to salute Duduzile Nhlapo from Sebokeng, who is top learner in maths and science in [Gauteng], and Lana De Lange from Florida Hoerskool. Again I congratulate Pretoria Girls High for being our best performing school for the 2005 class."
On public under-performing schools with a matric pass rate of less than 50 percent, Motshekga said the secondary schools intervention programme will be introduced to monitor and give management and curriculum support.
Under-performing private and independent schools will also be investigated, said Motshekga. "If a situation or condition exists which points towards deregistration we will take that action and follow the process for the deregistration as required by the national and provincial legislation."
With an annual population growth of two to three percent, Gauteng is experiencing overcrowding in some of areas like Ivory Park, Diepsloot and Freedom Park. "We are making everything possible to ensure that all our learners are accommodated. Mobile schools will be introduced in these areas and we plan to deploy about 100 mobile units to ease congestion in some schools," said Motshekga.
More schools will be built by the end of the year, where there is a need, she said.
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