Schools' Functionality: Challenges out there are overwhelming

Wednesday 17 January 2020 was quite a very active day for the country's education system. Traffic got congested ferrying parents and learners, including guardians and all other interested bodies as they headed to various destined directions during the hype of schools opening. The Provincial Government of KwaZulu-Natal was hard at work as the schools functionality and monitoring programme got underway. The KwaZulu-Natal Legislature led the programme under the theme "Doors of learning shall be opened for all".

Honourable MEC for Human Settlements and Public Works, Mrs Neliswa Peggy Nkonyeni MPL, and also ‘champion’ of iLembe District was at the forefront with a delegation that spearheaded a hectic 3-day schools’ visit within the areas of KwaMaphumulo and Ndwedwe respectively. The programme took place according to a scheduled time sheet and visits targeted the Velangezwi High, Macaphuna Secondary, Njubanjuba Secondary, Sinenhlanhla Secondary and Manzini Secondary schools. Amongst other delegates who attended were Members of the Provincial Legislature (MPLs), namely Mrs Sibidla-Saphetha, Mrs Gumede, Messrs Moodley, Nxumalo and Meyer. Other esteemed participants included Traditional Leaders – Amakhosi and Izinduna, Mayors and Deputy Mayors of relevant municipalities, Mr Madondo, the iLembe District Director for Education Department, the iLembe District Schools’ Inspectorates and Principals, Educators, members of the School Governing Bodies, members of the surrounding communities, and other stakeholders including representatives from the KZN Education Labour Sector.

Mr Jomo Sibiya, the Chairperson of the KwaZulu-Natal Portfolio Committee on Education has been instrumental in leading and chairing all the meetings and activities during the visits. The school functionality and monitoring programme is centred on the successes and challenges of daily teaching and learning. In addition, education infrastructure has been a pillar item of discussion and handling as it defines the most basic and fundamental elements necessary to ensure that access to learning facilities that are well structured and conducive for the learners. School functionality programme is nothing but service delivery.

As he delivered the State of the Province Address on 28 June 2019 under the theme “Breaking the grimy restraints for a United, Healthy, Safe, and Prosperous KwaZulu-Natal”, the Honourable Premier, Mr Sihle Zikalala, MPL raised serious concerns on growing social ills. “We are seeing a rise in the number of stunted children, teenage pregnancy and high level of drug abuse and alcohol. KZN, of late has been grabbing the headlines for all the wrong reasons. Some of our schools have become war zones and centres of crime, drugs, and sexual abuse.” Furthermore, the statement read “Indeed, we are faced with extreme difficulties and serious restraining socio-economic challenges. But because of our conviction with the genuine course of our liberation, democracy and development, we have no doubt that we will triumph. Definitely, light will prevail over darkness, good over evil, friendship and human solidarity will defeat greed and exploitation, just as growth and prosperity must win over underdevelopment and social decay. Because our cause is genuine and our mission entails noble goals, we have no doubt that victory is certain.”

Stemming from the above and taking stock of the reports presented by the principals, evidence signalled and painted a bleak picture – schools dysfunctionality. A common feature was a trend of schools burglary and vandalism. The behaviour has spiralled the rural communities of Ndwedwe and Maphumulo to such an extent that criminals ultimately target the food nutrition support proffered by government. Other overwhelming challenges that took a rise include teenage pregnancies, learner disregard to education – bunking school lessons, learners and educator absenteeism.

It is therefore quite pertinent and relevant for this programme to be a continuity, so as for government to enforce social order through all available platforms and measures. This is a process that will indeed take significant time to achieve. On second thoughts, the programme will ascertain that the people of Ndwedwe and Maphumulo begin to share a standard dignity through high morals and keeping its societal arch and its morals it holds very high.

Message from the MEC


 

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