The Alfred Nzo West district is a large area with poor infrastructure and distant villages in Mount Frere, Mount Ayliff, Ntabankulu, and Matatiele, but it was the best area in the Eastern Cape’s Grade 12 results.
Alfred Nzo West improved to 82.7% in last year’s matric results from 79% in 2021.
Monwabisi Mbangeni, the district head of Alfred Nzo West, stated that when it comes to education in the region, no one says that it is only for teachers; inspectors and education assistants also take initiative.
Mbangeni reveals that they gather every quarter of the year to analyze that quarter, which has aided in the area where each school has been affected. Students have also been encouraged by rewarding those who performed well during the quarter, which encourages others in each circuit to work harder.
He believes their success is not surprising given their dedication to the district.
“When you mention weekend lessons, everyone stands up and participates. When it comes to developing a plan to improve children’s education, everyone participates; no one says it’s none of their business; and everyone plays their part. We completed the curriculum in June, giving the students more time to work,” Mbangeni stated.
He says that even though Alfred Nzo is far away, Minister Gade was not lacking in support, and they are grateful to him as well as Ray Tywakathi, who were quick to act to solve any problems they encountered.
He admits that one of the things that has helped a lot since they have remote villages is encouraging children from far away to not use government vehicles and instead stay in a village with a school where they can be reached at all times.
The EC MEC for Education, Fundile Gade, has stated that they will return to the KZN province to determine what caused them to come out on top in the 2022 matric results. He believes that those who have failed should be supported and given another chance.
Mahlubandile Qwase, the EC’s Head of Education, has stated that they will assist schools that have underperformed.
The EC Premier, Oscar Lubabalo Mabuyane, praised both the children and the department, saying that every minister should have a school that they adopt and make their own.
Math and Physics have improved once more, while Xhosa and English have declined.
The province improved by 77.3% in 2022, compared to 73% in 2021.
Here are the top five schools out of the 50 that did not perform well:
- Nqabisile SSS – Amathole East
- St. Thomas for the deaf – Buffalo City
- Efata for the blind and deaf – O.R.Tambo
- Iqonce High School – Buffalo City
- New Town High – Amathole West
Here are the top five schools out of the 50 that performed well:
- Ulwazi High – Buffalo City
- July S.S.S – Amathole West
- Nosimo Tech – Chris Hani East
- Solomzi – Amathole East
- Soqhayisa – Nelson Mandela
Lumka Oliphant: ‘Yekani utywala’