KZN Education MEC Peggy Nkonyeni has requested pupils to defend their own education, asking them to go back to their schools and ensure there is mutual support between the teachers and their scholars.
Nkonyeni made the appeal at the Representative Council of Learners (RCLs) Indaba launch, held at eSikhaleni TVET College on Saturday.
RCL delegates from uThungulu and uMkhanyakude Districts gathered at the college, to learn about their responsibilities at their respective schools.
Also present were school principals, education specialists and School Management Teams (SMTs), who the government has involved in its turn-around strategy aimed at improving matric pass rates.
Nkonyeni said after the devastatingly poor performance of the matric class of 2015, her department has had countless meetings with school principals and SMTs, and is now zooming in on school pupils to get them involved in their education.
Core responsibilities
Outlining the responsibilities scholars should bear, Nkonyeni said the curriculum delivery is the backbone of a good performance for a matric class.
She reminded both teachers and pupils of the importance of adhering to what she called the ‘national time’: to ensure seven hours of proper teaching and learning takes place each school day.
Nkonyeni appealed to pupils to ensure strict discipline exists in their schools, at all times.
‘We implore our pupils to always be punctual, wear proper school uniform at all times and take responsibility for their own education,’ Nkonyeni requested.
She further said the department’s wish is to improve the matric results by at least 10% in 2016.
‘We also hope to improve matric results at each district level, to do away with a 0-30% pass rate, reduce the number of schools performing below 60% and increase the number of bachelor passes.’
Nkonyeni pleaded with parents to be involved in the education of their children.
Before dismissal, the delegates were made to read the pledge; committing themselves to going back to their respective schools and preaching good behaviour and responsibility to their peers.
