Grade One learners have mixed emotions on their first day at school

Some Grade One learners were happy and others were nervous as they entered the gates of primary schools for the first time on January 11.

Twins Kagelo and Keagelo Maake attend Parkrand Primary School. The school has 160 Grade One learners currently. The young learners said they were happy to be at school.

Kagelo said he had mixed emotions when he entered the school premises, but mostly he felt happy.

“I’m happy that I’m now in Grade One and I aim to learn a lot and become a good learner.”

A Grade One learner at Dawn Park Primary School, Lethabo Modise, said she was nervous when she came to school.

“My nerves calmed now and I’m excited to be here. I feel good about being here. I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I’m looking forward to the future,” said Modise.

“I’m five years turning six soon.”

The principal of Windmill Park Primary School, Oscar Lekoane, said they have accepted 335 Grade One learners and they have seven Grade One classes.

“We start teaching on the first day. We have a baseline assessment programme. In the programme, we assess how the learners are coping in their new grades. Learners are required to write tests in the programme. Learners from Grade One up until Grade Seven take part in the programme.

“If we notice that some learners are not doing well in the tests we offer them help. The programme has been effective over the years.”

Kungentando Mgoqi, a Grade One learner at Windmill Park Primary School, said it’s hard for her to contain her excitement because she has always been thinking of her first day at school.

Kungentando’s mother Sixolise Ntsinde said she is happy for her child. “I told my child to learn a lot when she is at school.”

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