Sandtonview High School with the majority of children attending from Alexandra improved its 2019 matric pass results to 85.5 per cent from 2018’s underachieving 67.5 per cent.
The Wynberg based institution’s improved performance was credited by teachers and learners to the new ‘motherly’ principal who on a temporary basis and within months has restored hope at the school. While she downplayed her role in the success story, Moleboheng Phahlane, a current headteacher at Tsosoloso Ya Afrika in Ebony Park, Midrand also hails from Alex.
“Her magic touch draws from the obligation of care and concern expected from a nurturing mother,” said top performer, 18- year-old Chisom Okoroafoe. “Like a mother, she drew out the best in the teachers, created the essential environment for learning among pupils and presumably other stakeholders.
“Like any caring mom, we drew inspiration from her [attending] all Secondary School Improvement Programmes of the education department and other camps away from the school.”
Physical science teacher Jimmy Mudara said the small things Phahlane did, her commitment and unassuming hard work brought everyone together and were a sign of good leadership. History teacher Mashudu Nemakonde said, “Her gentle push makes teachers voluntarily commit, even outside formal school duty, to do the best they can in the interest of the pupils.”
In an unassuming tone, Phahlane attributed her leadership style to teamwork and the ability to withstand insults and scorn from some parents. “The abuse doesn’t matter and should strengthen and make us better persons in whatever we do,” she said adding that her task was made easier by the learners’ and teachers willingness to learn and tutor.
She said the teachers were motivated by parents who affirmed their interest and commitment to their children when they improved in performance but decried those parents who neglected requests for meetings and ceded all responsibility of their children’s education to the school.
Due to her position at Tsosoloso Ya Afrika, Phahlane is uncertain how long she will remain at Sandtonview.
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