Nqweba keeping eye on prize

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - Although more than 330 000 matric exam seats were empty last year due to learners dropping out, the higher 2022 pass rate of 80,1%, did bring joy.

In our area, Willowmore Secondary School managed to elevate it's pass rate from 52,9% in 2021 to 70,8% while Gcinubuzwe Secondary School in Jansenville pushed up its pass rate from 51,8% to 67,1%.

Jansenville High School grabs the honour as the only high school in the Dr Beyers Naude area to achieve a 100% pass rate, compared to 92,5% in 2021.

However, the spotlight falls on a school that, thanks to great leadership and commitment, achieved a massive growth spurt of 30,6% in its pass rate.

Nqweba Secondary School in Graaff-Reinet has shown that despite challenges, all things are possible when you keep your eye on the prize.

The school's pass rate is 82,9% compared to 52,3% last year. Of the 105 matrics who wrote, 87 passed. With four distinctions, Anathi Masimini is the school's top matriculant, followed by Azola Boloda who achieved three distinctions.

On Tuesday this week, Graaff-Reinet Advertiser met up with the freshly retired, former principal of Nqweba Secondary, Zolile Malotana, who has spent the last 22 years at the school.

Future in your hands

His mantra, "one teacher can shape a child; one child can shape the world" has been his guiding compass as educator and principal throughout his career. Getting learners motivated and keeping them on track is his passion, never failing in the belief that anything is possible when you put in the work. Malotana says learners must understand they are responsible for their own future and that now is the best time to start shaping it.

He says the school's educators are its biggest asset. "They go the extra mile to give Saturday classes in their own time, offering up holidays to run intervention programmes and committing themselves to the well-being of learners. Together with the support of the SGB and parents, we have seen the difference in attitude from learners towards their education. It also shows in the results," says Malotana.

He says the biggest challenge is the number of progressed students. "These learners struggle to take their schoolwork seriously since they don't see the need to perform if they automatically progress to the next grade without actually passing. These learners influence those who want to work hard, and this creates a barrier. Luckily the current method is working, since 11 of the 35 progressed learners that started Grade 12 in 2022, passed."

He is confident that he leaves the school in very capable hands with the appointment of new principal, Zanovuyo Mdingi, who will also find a strong motivated team of educators to support him.

Inspirational teacher

Under the leadership and management of teacher Badian Daniels, Nqweba started its own intervention programmes offering additional classes during school holidays - this proved to be a great success. The Department of Basic Education was so impressed with the quality of the classes that they decided to fund the programmes. This allowed learners to stay in hostel and to have their meals there, thus shielding them against alcohol and drug abuse during the holiday breaks.

Daniels ran four intervention programmes in 2022 with above average attendance from the Grade 12 group who reaped the results.

Daniels is convinced that these intervention programmes help shape learners as the curriculum is not only revision, but equip learners with study methods, expose them to motivational speakers, and they receive pastoral guidance in creating a positive future. Daniels has been an educator at Nqweba Secondary for the past eight years and started 2023 at Narsingstraat Primary School where he hopes to have a similar impact.

New Nqweba principal, Zanovuyo Mdingi is looking forward to 2023 and is determined that the 2022 matric results will be maintained or even bettered.

New principal aims for 100%

New principal, Zanovuyo Mdingi, told the Advertiser that he is prepared for and excited about the opportunity to build forth on the school's momentum. He congratulated the class of 2022, the staff, the SGB and all relevant stakeholders in creating a school that is conducive to learning.

His vision entails reaching a 100% pass rate, a target he feels is achievable. He believes the target will be met if everyone commits to the three pillars he has set out as goals. Firstly, discipline that will make them unstoppable in reaching their goals; teamwork by which learners and educators work together to ensure effective planning and that no one is left behind; and thirdly, finishing the syllabus by end June to leave ample time for revision.

"The school will enforce zero tolerance of absenteeism and motivate learners to take on each day of learning as an opportunity to build themselves a better future. We wish every learner and educator the very best with the great task and responsibility of leading Nqweba Secondary to greatness," says Mdingi.

Former principal Zolile Malotana, history teacher Mvuleni Mhlana and teacher Badian Daniels, who has moved on to Narsingstraat Primary.