The Portfolio Committee on Basic Education had mixed reactions with regard to the quality of teaching and learning when it visited two Mpumalanga schools yesterday.

First on the list was Moses Mnisi Secondary School for Group One of the Committee. The Committee decided to split into two groups to be able to cover more schools, for longer, for the day. At this school the Committee was greeted with the news that during last year’s examinations the school excelled with Grade 8 to Grade 11 obtaining 100% pass rates and Grade 12 just missing out with 99,3%. The Committee was assured that the school is working hard at it to ensure that all Grades obtain a 100% pass rate.

The Committee was informed that teachers set monthly tests which are evaluated and monitored by their seniors as a moderation tool.

Committee Chairperson, Ms Nomalungelo Gina, expressed the Committee’s good wishes to the school. The Committee expressed its satisfaction with the school’s maintenance programme. The Committee heard that each learner is allocated a marked desk and chair which he or she must take responsibility for. In the event this breaks due to wear and tear, a teacher assigned for infrastructure takes charge of the broken item, ensures that it is fixed almost immediately and the learner receives a replacement item in the meantime.

The school indicated that it does not have a laboratory, library or computers for learners. Committee member, Mr Xolani Ngwesi, advised the principal to rope in the school’s very active alumni to see how they can assist or approach private donors as government cannot fund all projects. Another Committee member, Ms Vuyiswa Basson, expressed gratitude for the individual attention learners are given, especially those who do not have or live with their biological parents.

A few hundred metres away the Committee visited Mabon’wana Primary School. Here, Ms Gina expressed her disappointment at how the school was run and questioned whether teaching and learning was taking place at all. The whole management of the school seems to be problematic. You are not doing justice to the kids or the country, she said.

he Committee found the information prepared by the school was either outdated or just incorrect. Committee member, Ms Nomsa Tarabella-Marchesi, also questioned the low morale and what she observed as the principal not having control over the school. The oversight visit continues today with more visits to schools.

Source: Parliament of the Republic of South Africa