MBOMBELA- Ehlanzeni district recently rewarded teachers from various circuits for achieving an overwhelming 82 6 per cent pass rate in the 2013 matric results.
They were presented with trophies, certificates and some with computers during the Ehlanzeni District Achievers Awards held at KaNgwane Old Offices.
Mr Mfana Lushaba, the district director said the classroom was used by teachers to pass information to learners and it was where constructive debates took place.
“The future of our learners is safe here and we believe each one is unique and entitled to quality education,” Lushaba said.
“We want each pupil to feel competent and confident, secured and respected. We want to demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills in their own situation,” he continued.
He also urged teachers to be well informed, to do research and be convincing. He added that the district’s target this year is 95 per cent. “Its doable,” he said.
It was also heard that the district received seven trophies in last year’s provincial educators awards and some of them will be representing the teachers in the national teachers awards.
It was also mentioned that the district received the first position in the Annual National Assessment (ANA) although it didn’t performed well in mathematics for grade nine.
Lushaba added that the district plans to start with the concepts of Mathematics from the grade eight.
He also talked at length about school’s safety. “Communities should see our schools as safe and conducive environments not Day Care Centres,” said Lushaba.
The day was also marked by the awarding of top ten learners in the districts, they included Hoërskool Nelspruit’s Shane van der Hoven and Clara Trollip, Sibusisiwe Secondary School’s Knowledge Mokoena, Mahushe Secondary’s Banele Mhlongo, Kamhola Secondary’s Mandla Magagula, Sitfokotile Secondary’s Sibusiso Maphosa, Sidlamafa’s Sibusiso Khoza, Mehlobovu’s Wandile Mabuza, Shayaza’s Themba Mhlongo and Reuben Election Twala of Steenbok Secondary School.
Schools that had showed significant improvements were also awarded for their good work.
Shayaza Secondary School in Nkomazi West proved to be the cut above the rest as it showed a significant 51,9 per cent improvement.
The schools improved from its 2012’s upsetting overall pass rate of only 48,1 per cent to an awesome 100 in 2013.
The circuits which showed greatest improvements were also awarded, with Nkomazi West showing obtaining 90,5 per cent which showed an improvement of 18,9 per cent from the previous year’s 71,6 per cent.
Nkomazi East obtained 90,6 per cent which is 13,9 per cent increase from the previous year’s 76,7. Nsikazi improved by an 17,9 per cent, its obtained 83,3 from the previous year’s 65,3.
White/Hazy Circuit on the other hand improve from 62,6 per cent to 74,8 which is only 12,2 per cent increase. The Mngwenya Circuit only achieved 78,9 per cent which is only 10,4 per cent increase from the previous year’s 68,5.
Hoërskool Nelspruit was awarded for producing the highest number of bachelors while prizes for the top Dinaledi Schools went to Lowveld High which achieved 98,3 per cent, Sophungane Secondary and Suikerland each achieved 98,2 per cent while Mjokwane and Khutsalani Secondary achieved 97,9 per cent each.
