THE Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga has called on all education authorities in KZN to ‘revert back to the basics’ if they intend bouncing back from last year’s disappointing matric results.
Addressing school principals at the Umfolozi TVET College during a two-day visit to the uThungulu district, Motshekga said, ‘I’m not here to reprimand you, but rather to assist in turning the situation around.
‘We rely on you, the people who do most of the work, to produce the distinctions. It is a fact that KZN has the highest number of learners, and if the performance is poor in KZN, it gives us the whole picture of what to expect at national level.
‘Without looking for scapegoats, the first line of defence will be to go back to the basics. The reality is that if primary schools are empowered to put through quality product, we won’t find ourselves in this situation.
‘Let’s just get the basics right. Many schools are not running smoothly. How can a school function properly without basic sanitation, water, classrooms, books and desks,’ she asked.
‘KZN reached a 60% matric pass rate, while the uThungulu district achieved a low 54%. This is what has prompted both the national and provincial departments of education to embark on a fact-finding mission.
The Minister told the school principals that they were partly to blame.
‘It must be clear that it is all about our children and their future. When schools operate at zero performance, it is because of poor leadership. You as principals and your heads of department must get your houses in order.
‘It is of no use to rush for a roofing of a house while the foundation is not strong enough. The spotlight falls on you as primary schools principals.
‘Use your Annual National Assessment (ANA) results to determine the quality of education you are imparting to your learners,’ said Motshekga.
The Minister also urged teachers to stop ‘spoiling’ pupils.
‘We often believe that they have too much work, which is not true. We need to give them more schoolwork so that they don’t have time for watching television soapies.’
KZN MEC for Education, Peggy Nkonyeni, said she felt embarrassed when the 2015 matric results were announced.
‘This must never happen again and I commit myself together with my management team do everything possible to change the situation.’
