Agricultural pupils dig in to learn more in holidays

While the rest of the pupils around the Eastern Cape enjoy their mid-year break, hundreds of agricultural students opted to get their hands dirty, spending their first weekend off gaining practical experience on a Thornhill Farm.

About 200 pupils from agricultural schools descended on the Vulindlela Hall in Coega Village on Friday to participate in the Department of Education’s Agricultural Expo.

The two-day expo aims to generate interest among pupils to consider career-paths in agriculture through interaction with industry specialists, including commercial farmers, agricultural researchers and agricultural science students from local universities.

On Saturday, a large group was taken by bus to a Thornhill farm, where they were made to put their theoretical knowledge to the test as they ploughed fields and were taken through the process of farming from seeds to harvest.

Phandulwazi Agricultural School Grade 10 pupil Sibone Tom, 16, said he had enjoyed the experience and was surprised at the number of career options within the industry.

“In class, we are taken through the theory of farming, but the practical things we hardly do because of the lack of resources at our school. So this is really exciting to actually use the knowledge,” he said.

“I thought I knew a lot about the industry before I arrived, but this has opened my eyes to all the possibilities in agriculture.

“You don’t have to be just a farmer; there is so much more.”

Tom was echoed by Abambo Agricultural School Grade 11 pupil Ndabeni Athule, 18, who suggested the expo be held twice a year.

“We need more of this thing in our schools,” he said.

“What we have learnt through talking to people in the industry is stuff we would never have discussed in the classroom,” he said

“Our teachers know a lot about the subject, but these professionals know it all.

“And if we had the opportunity to talk to them more often, I’m sure the school work would also be easier to understand.”

Education department spokesman Malibongwe Mtima said: “This expo forms part of the department’s contribution to the Youth Month celebrations and gives learners an opportunity to explore and interact with exhibitors and industry specialists.”

‘ I thought I knew a lot about the industry, but this has opened my eyes’ Sibone Tom PHANDULWAZI AGRICULTURAL SCHOOL GRADE 10 PUPIL