Parents’ support is crucial to learners’ performance
The mayor visited Nghonyama High to congratulate the teachers and learners for obtaining a 94% pass rate in last year’s matric exams.
Greater Giyani Mayor Thandi Zitha has warned parents not to overwhelm their children with chores, saying it contributes to poor a performance at the end of the year. “Learners’ support begins at home. Some parents do not care whether their children have eaten when they leave for school or what they will eat when they return,” explained the mayor. “We understand that we’re in an area where water challenges are common but sending Gr 12 learners to fetch water or giving them too many chores when they get back from school takes away the time they need to study or do their school work,” she said.
The mayor was speaking during a back-to-school campaign at Nghonyama High School. She visited the school to congratulate the teachers and learners for obtaining a 94% pass rate in last year’s matric exams. The mayor said she was impressed by the school’s performance despite destructive occurrences and other activities in the area. “I find it astounding that a student can function in a setting with so much activity as in this village. Your performance exceeded my expectations,” said the mayor.
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Of the 150 matriculants, 72 passed with bachelors, 33 are eligible for diploma study, and 36 received their senior certificates. Nine learners failed the exams. According to the principal, Simon Shikweni, it is their best achievement up to now. “The school was founded in 1974 with the first matriculants in 1983. Since then, it has never achieved results that were equal to or over 94%,” he said. “These are the best results to date and in the history of the school.”
The mayor encouraged this year’s Gr 12s to look for inspiration by observing successful and affluent families to study even harder in the hope of achieving their own goals. “There’s no secret to success other than working hard. You need to have a desire for success. Be jealous when you see others’ achievements so that you’re motivated to work even harder,” said the mayor. The mayor also donated shoes to 40 learners to motivate them.
