Should township schools receive the support they need, they can thrive on the same level as “well-off” institutions.
This is according to MEC for the Gauteng Department of e-Government, Bonginkosi Dhlamini during an oversight tour of three Tshwane schools in Pretoria West on the opening of the academic year, to assess the state of readiness for the capital’s schools.
Dhlamini and supporting officials visited Fusion Secondary School, Tomorrow’s Achievers Early Childhood Development Centre (ECD) and Omar HS Ebrahim Primary School.
The Back-to-School Campaign, led by the Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, is conducted annually and invariably takes place upon schools reopening, to assess school readiness, and encourage and provide needed support to learners.
Fusion Secondary School recorded a 64% pass rate in 2023 but the Class of 2024 raised the bar by 22% securing a 86% pass rate for the school.
“During the briefing with the Premier, this is one of the schools he was most proud of. For us, we must be able to demonstrate that township schools can do better and not think that it’s only the so-called formal or model C schools,” Dhlamini said.
“Your commitment is not forgotten. We will be supporting you, especially on the technological side of things that’s why we’re installing Wi-Fi for free.”
Dhlamini added that they were also installing smart boards and CCTV cameras.
“We want to identify ICT ambassadors to introduce our people into the digital space – the digital economy is the new norm. Data and connectivity are no longer a luxury, it’s just as important as water or clean air and our people need it,” Dhlamini said.
The MEC made several donations of shoes and vouchers to each school. He spoke to learners, urging them to practice good behaviour and discipline throughout their schooling careers.
He said the mandate of the e-government is to digitise all government services and to have universal connectivity.
Dhlamini also addressed the recent trend of kidnappings and disruptive behaviour at schools, saying that the department is committed to ensuring the safety of learners across the province.
“This school (Fusion Secondary) has a gangsterism and drug problem. As part of our mitigation, we are putting up CCTV cameras and others that are hotspots so we can track the movement of kids,” he said.
“It is a very big problem that kids are going missing so we are appealing to our educators, communities and students to work together to solve it. If we don’t work together as communities and really deal with the rogue elements within our areas we will not be able to overcome.”
Tomorrow’s Achievers ECD received a R5 000 voucher along with food and clothing donations during the MEC’s walkabout of the premises.
“I’m so happy that the MEC came to visit us here at our creche, it really feels like a blessing that I don’t know how to describe,” founder Selina Makgne said.
The ECD was founded in 2011 and registered in 2013. Currently, 12 children are attending though Makagne believes this number will grow later on in the year.
“I believe more will attend next month as a lot of people are still struggling financially. We hope God will bless us this year, we want to build an extension to accommodate more children of different ages as well,” Makagne added.
Dhlamini encouraged the Class of 2025 to maintain focus this year as certain sacrifices will ensure that they have better opportunities going forward.
“All I can say is that the year is 12 months but it’s really 10 months that you need to dedicate yourselves to your classes.
It is the key to the future. Nothing is more of an equaliser than education, please get your education so you can be able to be independent and assist your families and communities in the future,” he concluded.
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